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1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 the Apostle gives instructions for moving forward in the actions and attitudes of the Christians at Thessalonica. He states, “14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, NKJV).
This is a command to follow in the ways of Jesus.
These instructions given by the Apostle Paul are to be taken as he has been instructed by our Savior and King Jesus. Some scholars agree that this is instructions for the leaders of the church, and rightly so, but these are instructions that we all should be striving for in our walk with Jesus – that we would follow in His footsteps and be a reflection of Him to all those we come in contact with in person and through our social media which reaches around the world.
Whether a new Christian or a seasoned veteran of walking with Jesus, our goal is the same and it is the same Holy Spirit of God that works in all our lives – to draw closer to Him day by day as He leads us in putting aside the sinful nature and putting on our new nature in Christ. You may ask, “how do we know the things that we should move away from and the things in which we should draw near to?” The Bible teaches us in through the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:19-26, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Dear LORD,
We ask today that You enlighten us to the work that You are doing within each of our lives, that we would be aware of the attitudes and actions we should be exemplifying to others as Your children in Christ Jesus. Please help us to see that in our individual roles in this world, we are all one in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.