December 9, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with Him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

After giving his readers instructions on being awake and not asleep because they are sons of light, not darkness, Paul concludes his discourse by saying that God didn't destine us for wrath and punishment but to be saved by our Lord Jesus. He emphasizes this truth to be so abounding that even if we fail to follow the instructions because of weakness, we will still obtain life. The cross is just that extensive.

Jesus said that even if we don't keep His commandments, He will not judge us because He came to save, not condemn (John 3:17, 12:47). This doesn't take away from the necessity of obedience. It simply means nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even sin and death! As Saint Paul wrote, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8). A realization of this infinite goodness and mercy is what will lead to repentance, not an iron fist. The stories of Mary Magdalene, Zaccheus, Paul, and many others attest to this.