Day 342 - Called Higher: Living Pure, Hope-Filled, and Awake as the Day of the Lord Approaches

Welcome to Day 342 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.

In these final chapters, Paul instructs believers on how to walk in holiness, brotherly love, sexual purity, and quiet diligence as they await the return of Christ. He comforts them with hope concerning believers who have died, revealing the Lord’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the gathering of the saints. Paul urges the church to remain spiritually alert and sober, living as children of light in contrast to a world unprepared for the Day of the Lord. He closes with practical commands that shape daily Christian living—rejoicing, praying continually, testing everything, avoiding evil, and honoring spiritual leadership. These chapters blend doctrine, encouragement, and practical holiness, reminding the church that salvation includes both present obedience and future glory.

1 Thessalonians 4

Paul begins by urging believers to live in a way that pleases God, emphasizing sanctification and moral purity as essential to Christian identity. He specifically commands them to abstain from sexual immorality, teaching that holiness involves controlling one’s body in honor, not in worldly passion. Paul encourages them to grow even more in their love for one another, demonstrating the transforming work of God in community life. He also instructs them to live quietly, work diligently, and avoid dependence on others. Shifting to the topic of death, Paul comforts them by explaining that Christians mourn differently because of the guaranteed hope of resurrection. He concludes by describing the Lord’s return—the dead in Christ rising first, followed by living believers who are caught up to be forever with Him.

1 Thessalonians 5

Paul teaches that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, catching unbelievers off guard but not surprising those who live in the light. Because believers belong to the day, he urges them to remain spiritually awake, sober, and protected by the armor of faith, love, and the hope of salvation. Paul emphasizes that God has not appointed His people to wrath but to obtain salvation through Christ, leading to encouragement and unity among the church. He continues with rapid-fire exhortations: respect spiritual leaders, pursue peace, warn the idle, comfort the faint-hearted, and be patient with everyone. Paul instructs them to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances as expressions of God’s will. He finishes with commands to test all things, cling to what is good, reject evil, and trust God to sanctify them completely until the coming of Christ.