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“But you, brethren, are not in darkness” (1 Thess. 5:4, NKJV)
Ever since the days of Cain and Abel we have seen two divergent lines. Abel was of the line of faith. We read in the New Testament book of Hebrews: “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous” (Heb. 11:4). Cain was part of the line of unbelief, living in rebellion against God, but which benefited by His care and goodness (Gen. 4:15-17).
As we read through the Bible, we discover that faith is a gift of God and a hallmark of His people of promise. Faith testifies to the handiwork of God to bestow the gift of spiritual life.
In his Gospel account, John offers a descriptor differentiating these two lines. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).
We’ve already seen Paul distinguishing these two groups in his discussion of who possesses the hope of the gospel and who does not. He has addressed “brothers” who have a hope with “others” who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13).
Now as he gets into present ramifications regarding the return of Jesus, he again divides between brothers and others. “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief” (1 Thess. 5:3–4).
We see Paul addressing “you,” who are the brethren, the believers of Thessalonica to whom he is writing, and “they,” who are unbelievers without God and without hope in this world and that to come.
What distinction is Paul making? He is saying that we who are of Christ have an awareness, an attitude, and an approach to life that is radically different from those who still blinded by sin and unbelief.
In regard to the return of Jesus, they are saying, “no big deal.” Either they are presuming that they are okay with God and so won’t experience His judgment or they are cavalier about the whole idea and just want to get on with life in blissful ignorance.
Peter writes something about this mentality in his second letter. He quotes these skeptics: “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (2 Pet. 3:4). Peter describes their attitude as willful forgetting, akin to Paul’s statement that scorners don’t merely deny the truth; they suppress it in unrighteousness.
Peter then lays it on the line. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). It is then he goes on to use the language we’ve seen in Paul: “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night” (3:10).
What God is telling us who hope in Christ is that our Lord’s return carries vastly different meaning for us as Christians, of the family of God, of the line of promise. They will not escape the judgment to come (surely and suddenly) and the outpouring of the wrath of God. We, on the other hand, have already escaped judgment because the condemnation for our sin and the just wrath we deserve has already fallen and been poured out on the cross (John 5:24; 1 John 2:2).
Our position in Christ is not a reason for pride or occasion to gloat over the others. Rather, it instills in us a profound humility and awe of such a gracious God and so great a salvation. That we are not captive to darkness (Eph. 4:18) is owed entirely to the amazing love of God lavished upon us in His Son.
Why does Paul make the contrast between brothers and others?
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
