Living Together with Jesus 1 Thessalonians 5:10

Paul desired that the Thessalonian church members know that God had not “appointed” them “unto wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”. In chapter five and verse ten of his letter, Paul let them know God's end goal was for them to “live together with Him”. We read:

Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

The verse begins, “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep,...” Paul began with the words, “Who died” which refers to “Jesus” and means “perishing and dying”, “for us” or “Paul, his companions and the Thessalonian church members”, “that” or “in order or so that” “whether we wake” which means “if we are living, watching, giving strict attention to, are cautious, vigilant and active” “or sleep” which refers to those who “fall asleep or are dead”. Paul knew the Thessalonians were concerned about those who believed in Jesus as their Lord and Savior and had died , and he included both the living and the dead in the conclusion he is about to declare.

The verse continues, “...we should live together with him.” Paul added, “we should live” or “breathe, be among the living, enjoy real life, be active and in full vigor” “together” which means “at the same time and at once” “with him” which refers to “God or Jesus Christ”. The end result of Jesus providing “salvation” was that Paul, his companions, the Thessalonians and we might “live together” with God.

While we meditate upon Paul's words, let us use our imaginations to think about what it will be like to “live with” God someday. That day will be more glorious than any other experience we have enjoyed in our lives, and to attempt to describe it finds the foremost words inadequate. “Living with God” is provided through the death and resurrection of God's Son Jesus, the Messiah, who paid for our sins and will redeem all who “cling to, rely upon and trust in” Him. May the Lord Jesus by His Holy Spirit help us to realize the extraordinary sacrifice He made for our salvation, and may we ever keep “living with God” as our goal and stimulus to live in a manner that pleases Him.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians to “comfort” and “edify one another”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.