In the context of the Second Coming, the inspired writers of the New Testament often exhort their readers to be sober-minded. One example is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, where the apostle Paul writes: “But since we are of the day, let us be sober….” What does it mean to be sober? In this instance, “sober” means “watchful or alert.” It is not necessarily a word that is always associated with abstaining from the use of alcohol; but, rather, an avoidance of anything which might dull our sensitivity and draw our attention away from the coming of the Lord.
How does one go about developing spiritual sobriety? The remainder of the verse answers the question. Paul goes on to say: “But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breast place of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” Three ingredients are mentioned as being essential to spiritual sobriety. They are faith, hope, and love. These comprise the armament Christians must wear to pierce the darkness and look steadfastly to the day of the Lord’s return.
Why should we be sober-minded? Paul continues, saying, “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him (vss. 9-10). Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ is the reason we should strive to be sober-minded. Jesus died for us that we might live together with Him.
The conclusion of all that we have said is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 where Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
The encouragement and edification we extend to one another is predicated by our own walking in the light and looking to the day Christ’s return. If the encouragement we offer is not based on the Day of Christ, then it is not the kind of encouragement people need to help them prepare for eternity. As a matter of fact, if our own hope, faith, and love are not firmly grounded in our future with Jesus, we will not be a whole of lot of encouragement to others anyway.