Daily Bread 2011 - 1 Thessalonians 5
Final Instructions
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
What Does This Mean?
In Paul’s final commendations and admonitions he gives us several insights in to how to behave and live in community together. Paul urges them to support their leaders, not because of their title, but because they represent God and the nature of their work requires their support for success. He tells them to warn those who are “idle:. Apparently there were those who were so convinced of Jesus’ imminent return, they got lazy and thought they didn’t have to work for a living. Finally, he gives a great trifold focus for the believer as they get ready for Jesus’ return. “Be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.”
Sometimes we wonder what God’s will is for us? Well, Paul lays it out for us quite cleanly. Did you know it is God’s will for you to be joyful always? God doesn’t want us to be depressed. Pray continually! Wow, that is certainly a challenge. I don’t think he means this literally as if you are praying out loud all day long, but more of an attitude of prayer. This might be characterized as a constant conversation with God. As we practice the presence of God without neglecting the tasks we have been assigned, we can go about our day in constant contact with God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Does the life Paul is describing seem like a “pipe dream”? Do you think it is possible to live joyfully always and always give thanks through continual prayer? While none of us reaches perfection in this life, even Paul admits that, I think this is a good challenge for us to inculcate more of Christ in our everyday life. Often we are tempted to relegate our Christian experience to church on Sunday, and if we are really spiritual to our small group and quiet times in the morning! But wonder if God wanted to walk with us all day long to bring about these kinds of qualities in our lives. I imagine Paul did not just preach this, but lived it out which made him such an effective leader.
Maybe you can think of one practical way that you can broaden your relationship with God through Christ during the day. Be creative, make it fun. Sometimes we take ourselves so seriously that we think the devotional life needs to staid and stoic. I love the pictures of Jesus laughing with his disciples. Maybe we need to lighten up and see our walk with Jesus in new and ever widening and yes fun ways. Just a thought!
Jesus, we long to lead the life Paul describes here. We long to be joyful always and maintain an attitude of prayerful response to all life brings us. Send Your Spirit to keep our spiritual flame going in new and ever increasing ways for your glory, Amen.
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
What Does This Mean?
In Paul’s final commendations and admonitions he gives us several insights in to how to behave and live in community together. Paul urges them to support their leaders, not because of their title, but because they represent God and the nature of their work requires their support for success. He tells them to warn those who are “idle:. Apparently there were those who were so convinced of Jesus’ imminent return, they got lazy and thought they didn’t have to work for a living. Finally, he gives a great trifold focus for the believer as they get ready for Jesus’ return. “Be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus.”
Sometimes we wonder what God’s will is for us? Well, Paul lays it out for us quite cleanly. Did you know it is God’s will for you to be joyful always? God doesn’t want us to be depressed. Pray continually! Wow, that is certainly a challenge. I don’t think he means this literally as if you are praying out loud all day long, but more of an attitude of prayer. This might be characterized as a constant conversation with God. As we practice the presence of God without neglecting the tasks we have been assigned, we can go about our day in constant contact with God through Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Does the life Paul is describing seem like a “pipe dream”? Do you think it is possible to live joyfully always and always give thanks through continual prayer? While none of us reaches perfection in this life, even Paul admits that, I think this is a good challenge for us to inculcate more of Christ in our everyday life. Often we are tempted to relegate our Christian experience to church on Sunday, and if we are really spiritual to our small group and quiet times in the morning! But wonder if God wanted to walk with us all day long to bring about these kinds of qualities in our lives. I imagine Paul did not just preach this, but lived it out which made him such an effective leader.
Maybe you can think of one practical way that you can broaden your relationship with God through Christ during the day. Be creative, make it fun. Sometimes we take ourselves so seriously that we think the devotional life needs to staid and stoic. I love the pictures of Jesus laughing with his disciples. Maybe we need to lighten up and see our walk with Jesus in new and ever widening and yes fun ways. Just a thought!
Jesus, we long to lead the life Paul describes here. We long to be joyful always and maintain an attitude of prayerful response to all life brings us. Send Your Spirit to keep our spiritual flame going in new and ever increasing ways for your glory, Amen.
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