One of the great blessings we have is the continuing cleansing of the blood of Jesus in our daily lives. We were washed in His blood when we were baptized (Acts 22:16), but we continue to be cleansed by His blood as we continue to walk in the light. “But if we walk (Greek tense indicates continual action—“are walking”) in the light as He is in the light, we have (are having) fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (is cleansing) from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Paul described the lives of those who are children of light in his first letter to the Thessalonians. He showed that they are different from those who are children of darkness (1 Thess. 5:4-10).
Sons of light do not sleep (1 Thess. 5:6). Obviously he is not describing physical sleep or the sleep of death. He contrasts this sleep with watching and being sober.
Sons of light watch (5:6). It was in Gethsemane that He urged the disciples to sense the dangers confronting them. In the upper room they all had affirmed their willingness to die for Him (Matt. 26:35), but they were all about to forsake Him in fear (Matt. 26:56). His words to them in the garden were, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” (Matt. 26:41). Those who walk in the light must watch!
Sons of light are sober (5:6). That Christians are to be serious minded is affirmed often in the Bible using a Greek word which affirms this vital quality for every Christian. However, the Greek word used in this passage is nephos, which means “to be free from the influence of intoxicants.” The impact of intoxicants is to dull the senses, lower inhibitions and is devastating to one’s ability to watch.
Sons of light neither get drunk or are drunk (5:7). There are many verses in the Bible which condemn drunkenness (including this one in the phrase “are drunk”), but this passage shows that God also forbids the process of getting drunk. Those who are walking in the light must be aware that the Bible shows that Christians must avoid getting drunk.
Sons of light arm themselves with faith, love and hope (5:8). Bible students will recall these three qualities in Paul’s letter to Corinth, ”And now abides faith, hope and love” (1 Cor. 13:13). These same qualities are mentioned here as those who are continually cleansed by His blood. We must never forget that all of these are specifically tied to having the Bible in our lives.
Sons of light will live together with Him (5:10). How else could it be? We become sons of God by the blood, we walk in light and are being cleansed by blood and heaven awaits those who live in the light. Thank God for His light!