LightGrams
January 5, 2017
Volume 21, Number 1
Amanda and Adam Sherman stopped by an auto dealership in suburban Pittsburgh this past Monday to have their oil changed, a job that requires only a few minutes. By the time they left, they had more than they had come in with; Amanda was holding a newborn baby in her arms.
Yes, it was Amanda’s baby that she held, and, yes, she knew she was expecting a child. When she went into the restroom, she didn’t know that she was in labor; she said she didn’t feel any contractions or pains normally felt with childbirth. “All of a sudden I was holding her,” she said of the birthing process. Thankfully another customer at the car dealership that morning was an RN, and she assisted with the delivery.
Most women who have given birth probably feel a bit envious upon hearing this story. Childbirth is not so quick and painless for most. I was present for the births of all three of our children, and I can assure you my wife knew she was in labor!
One thing seems to be true of all births, however (with the exception of scheduled Caesarian section deliveries): The final expulsion of the child begins at a moment’s notice. That’s why obstetricians can only speculate about a woman’s “due date”.
There is another event whose date cannot be predicted, and this event will affect every person who has ever lived. Paul wrote about the Second Coming of Christ in 1 Thessalonians. Look at the imagery he chose to illustrate important concepts.
“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 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” (1 Thessalonians 5:2,3).
“Destruction” is something we all want to avoid, if possible. The ones in our text who will not escape destruction are people who aren’t prepared for the Lord’s return. They delude themselves into thinking (1) that Jesus won’t return, or (2) that His return will be later, after they’ve had opportunity to enjoy their lives of sin.
Peter was also discussing the Lord’s return when he made the application we all need to consider for our own lives: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11).
I don’t know when a thief may strike; that’s why I always keep my doors locked. Neither do I know when the Lord will come again. I know He will return, just as an expectant mother knows her baby will be born. That’s why we must live in a state of readiness.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2017, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.