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Children of the Day |
Dear Brethren,
Why does God call us the "Children of
the Day?" From a spiritual point of view, these are difficult days for all of us.
We might even say these are dark days” for the Church, especially when we
compare them to how the Church was during its "brighter" days. But, let us never
forget that we of Christ's spiritual community are never in darkness, as the world is in
darkness, because we possess the Light. "And this is the condemnation, that
light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their
deeds were evil." (John 3:19)
What do the Scriptures mean when they
say that Jesus is the Light of the world? "Jesus was the very Light, that which,
coming into the world, enlightens every man without exception." (John 1:9)
The true knowledge of God's way enlightens mankind and leads to eternal life.
"For you were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of
light." (Ephesians 5:8)
Because we are enlightened by Christ,
we are the children of light, and the Children of the Day.
"When they shall say, "Peace and safety;" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as
travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are
not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all the
children of light, and the Children of the Day: we are not [children] of
the night, nor [children] of darkness." (1 Thessalonians 5:3-5)
The apostle, John, said of Jesus
Christ, that He was the true light. "In Him was life; and the life was
the light of men." (John 1:4,9) Let's recognize that we must go through
this time of testing, and keep our eyes on the True Light. "Then spoke Jesus
again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me
shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)
"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in
darkness." (John 12:46)
When a new person is being called by
God into His Truth today, they can encounter a veritable jungle of twisted doctrines
and teachings being thrown at them. "False Christs and false prophets shall rise,
and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect."
(Mark 13:22) How can a new person find a minister and community where they can be
nurtured and grow spiritually? How can they stay on the strait and narrow path. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105)
Who can see the Light today
God's people are being scattered. At the end-time harvest, there is another prophesied
separation that is conducted by the angels at the direction of Jesus Christ to see who has
let his light shine. Those who have remained steadfast are the
Children of the Day. Notice the separation that will be made between
the children of darkness and the Children of the Day:
"The field is the world; the good
seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
... Let both grow together until the harvest:and in the time of harvest I will say to the
reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but
gather the wheat into my barn... Then shall the righteous shine forth as the
sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
(Matt. 13:30-43)
We can see that God is working with
the people in His scattered Church by presenting them with choices. How will we live
our lives? What doctrines will we adhere to? What standard of conduct will we
accept among our leaders? So when the days seem darkest, let's realize that this is indeed
the time to let our light shine on what is truly important – holding onto
the Truth, loving God and loving our neighbor.
"You are the light
of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." (Matthew 5:14)
"Let your light so shinebefore men, that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16) As Paul was ending his
first letter to the Thessalonians, he exhorted them in some of the ways, as the
Children of the Day, to let their light shine (5:11-26).
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Sermon: "Children of the Day"
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