4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.ReflectionsWritten by Brian MacgeorgePaul addresses the Thessalonian Christians warmly, as “brothers and sisters”, as he has done frequently in this letter. We can almost see his brotherly arm around their collective shoulder as he speaks, and maybe we can feel his arm around our shoulder too. He reminds them that the return of Jesus will not be unexpected for them and will not be something to fear. Why? Because they are not living in darkness. I was curious to know the biblical roots of Paul's reference to “darkness” and also “light” (v4 and v5). I found these terms first used back in John 8:12 where Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”. So by talking about “darkness” and “light”, Paul is reminding his readers that they belong to Jesus. Paul is urging them to “not be like others ... but let us be awake and sober” (v6). Verse 8 repeats the message with “let us be sober”.  I take the words “Let us” not as a command from Paul, but as an invitation to join with him in preparing for the day of Jesus’ return. Verse 8 also adds two ways to use that sober-mindedness: “putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” Where do we find faith, love and the hope of salvation? Yes, in Christ. In response I am led to pray: Lord, as we wait on the day of your return, fill us with faith, love and the hope of salvation so we will not fear that day and will not be caught asleep in darkness but will stay sober in your light.About the AuthorBrian is part of our Fairfield Early Church and Morning Church.