The Grandest Theft

A recent tournament at National League of Poker had this chat:

Dealer: 　knightfan2 wins Main Pot ($14,400)
TJFill: 　thief
knightfan2: 　like stealing candy from a baby
TJFill: 　*** low life
Me: 　Thief in the Knight :-)
TJFill: 　pc oc rap
Me: 　Straight outta the Bible

We did a play on words to bring up a phrase of Scripture.  Perhaps you've never thought of Jesus this way before....

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. - I Thessalonians 5:2 (KJV throughout)

It's tempting to conclude Jesus will come like a thief -- but that's not really what this verse says.  After all, would a Lord who opposes stealing (Matthew 19:18) come back to Earth that way?

It actually says the "day of the Lord" will come like a thief....

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. - I Thessalonians 5:3

If you think our modern time is peaceful and secure -- well, some might call you hyper-optimistic.  We've seen confident poker players lose big stacks in a hurry to a couple of bad decisions.  And our blessings of life could erode in the same way.

Paul's point is that we should all live carefully -- and perhaps even play poker the same way:

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  You are all the children of light, and the children of the day.... let us watch and be sober. - I Thessalonians 5:4-6

Are you guarding against potential theft by keeping your "light" on -- the light of Jesus Christ in you?