Jump Start # 3101

1 Thessalonians 5:1 “Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.”

Our verse today prepares the section about being alert. We are of the day the apostle says multiple times. Another expression he uses is that we are “sons light and sons of day.” Daylight allows us to see things much better. And, because of that spiritual enlightment, there was no need of anything more to be written on that subject. God revealed. It was taught. The brethren believed. And, now the brethren know.

But for some, that’s just not enough. They want daily updates from Heaven. They want constant communication, not so much from here to there, but certainly from there to here. There is a spirit that believes the Bible isn’t enough. This has led to the idea of progressive revelation, which means God is still speaking to people today. Or, it has led to believing that our feelings are directed by God and how we feel is the basis of what we ought to do.

Yet, for those early Thessalonians, they didn’t need anything else. What God had given them was all that they needed. God was not going to lead them down a dark path and then abandon them in the middle of the night and they would have to struggle and find their way home. Not at all. God wouldn’t do that. His word was enough. It would guide them.

Now, from this there are some thoughts we need to remember:

First, we must have a similar faith. The yearning for more, will make a person chase things that are not there. Speculative theories and wild ideas feed those who are looking for more. And, this pursuit has led many a believer away from God and into the land of error.

Second, we are thankful that what we need we already have, the Word of God. We don’t have to wait until the latest press release or page is published. We are not holding on without a clue. We know. We have no need of anything to be written, because of what we already have. What a blessing it is to be on this side of the cross. What great hope we have to live in a time when all the word has been delivered. What a wonderful time it is for you and I to be able to have our own Bibles and we can read them anytime we want. There was a period in church history, where most people couldn’t read. And, added to that, what Bibles were available were in Latin and most folks couldn’t read Latin. The Bibles were kept in churches and the people had to rely upon someone reading it to them. Between worship times, the people had nothing. It’s not that way for you and I. As I write this, I see seven different Bibles on my shelf at home. I have the Bible on my phone, tablet and computer. In my office at the church building, I likely have more than 25 Bibles. What a blessing for us. How many Bibles do you have?

Third, what God has given us will get us through any dark days that we experience. Fear of death, turn to God’s word. Someone causing you trouble, turn to the word of God. Having doubts, look in the Bible. Don’t know how to forgive, see what the Bible says.

So, there is a confidence that God will help you, encourage you and get you through these troublesome times. His word is there. His word is sure. His word is proven.

At least one time earlier, Paul made the statement that nothing needs to be written to you.

• Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another (4:9).

Fourth, there is an assurance that what we read remains. There is no need for anything to be written to you, guarantees that God is not changing His mind, updating some principle or introducing some new law. It was that way for the Thessalonians and it is that way for us. Nothing has changed from Heaven’s perspective. Down here, a lot has changed. Our times are so different than what those early Christians experienced. In technology, communication, transportation, medical, science, so much has changed. We know more. We know better. We live longer. We live healthier. Yet, from the perspective of Heaven, nothing has changed. We still need Jesus. And, God’s word, working then, will work today. How God expands the kingdom, works the same. How God wants us to worship Him, remains the same. The way to Christ, remains the same. The way we get forgiveness, remains the same. The structure and purpose of the church remains the same. That old, old Gospel message still works.

You have no need of anything to be written to you. What God has given us is the best and it cannot be improved.

Roger