1Th 5:14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
1Th 5:15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
1Th 5:16Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In reading this passage today, it struck me that I am not doing all that I am supposed to do according to God's Word. I am borrowing a commentary from Blue Letter Bible to help explain verse 14: Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all: Paul told the Thessalonians - the people, not only the pastor and leaders - to minister in a variety of ways, depending on the state of the person who needs the ministry. So if someone is unruly, the duty of the Christian is to warn them. Others need comfort, others need to be upheld.i. The unruly are those who are out of order, using a military word that describes the soldier that breaks ranks or marches out of step. This is the self-willed person who simply demands to hold their own opinion or preference. These must be warned.
ii. The fainthearted are those who, literally, are small-souled. By nature or experience they tend to be timid and lack courage. These need comfort – in the sense of assisting strength – to be brought to them.
iii. The weak must be upheld, and assisted with an eye to building their own strength instead of perpetuating their weakness.
c. Be patient with all: Though different approaches must be taken with different people, Christians must be patient with all. This is because true Christianity is shown by its ability to love and help difficult people. We do not look for only perfect people to minister to and to minister with.
d. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone: The Christian never should seek revenge or vengeance, but let God take up our side. Instead, we must always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. When we have a forgiving heart towards others, not only is it good for them, it is good for ourselves.
Here is the link for the full commentary
http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=8051&commInfo=31&topic=1%20Thessalonians&ar=1Th_4_14
Now, I decided to post this because this is a better and more knowledgeable explanation of the first two verses I posted. But I will talk about it! As I have observed over the years. . . . . almost everyone falls into one of these categories to some extent or another. I have even seen pastors that could be described this way, but most of the time the maturity level in Christ takes many beyond these points. The interesting part to me is that I have seen almost all of these categories in my life at one time or another! One very important thing that was pointed out here is that Paul was talking not only to the pastors and the leaders, but to all who claim to be a Christian! It is each and every one of our responsibility to hold each other accountable and hold each other up! I know for me, the verse that tells us to be patient with all is one that can be rather difficult! However, as Christians, this is absolutely imperative! This is one very important way that we SHOW the love of Christ! It goes way beyond our words. . . . .it goes deep into our actions, there is a reason that it is said that actions speak louder than words! Then there is the revenge issue, we as Christians should NEVER seek revenge, why?. . . . because that is what God tells us! We are to trust in Him and allow Him to fight our battles! This part bears repeating: " See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone: The Christian never should seek revenge or vengeance, but let God take up our side. Instead, we must always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. When we have a forgiving heart towards others, not only is it good for them, it is good for ourselves." Man, this is great stuff! Now on to the next verses. . . .
1Th 5:16Rejoice always,
Always. . . good times. . . . bad times. . . . hard times. . . . ALL TIMES! ! !
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
This means to always have an attitude of prayer. We cannot pray verbally at all times, but we can be mindful of God and bring HIM into every equation of our lives! We can always have an attitude of prayer and know that in every situation, prayer should be our FIRST defense. . . . not our last hope!
1Th 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In EVERYTHING. . . . . did you get the EVERYTHING part here? Good, bad, ugly, and indifferent. . . . . EVERYTHING! ! ! ! ! Sometimes this seems so absolutely impossible sometimes. . . . I am the first to admit this one! I don't remember being too thankful the last time I had a virus. . . . or a broken heart. . . . . or when I feel like an utter failure! Kinda like when I fail at being thankful in EVERYTHING! Enough said. . . . I have thoroughly convicted myself at this point! Please note that when I try and point out things in scripture, I am doing it more for me than for anyone! It gives me a reality check in my life!
~Father God, let me start by asking You to forgive me for failing to do Your will as Your Word has directed me to do! Thank You for pointing out the things in my life that need changed and thank You for the help and strength You are giving me to help change what is unholy in me! I want to thank and praise You Father for loving me enough to allow Paul. . . . so many years ago, to speak to me today! Your Word is amazing. . . .Your love is incredible. . . . .Your sacrifice was beautiful, and in it all. . . . . I am thankful! I am so unworthy and yet You lavish Your love, Your compassion, and Your Son on me! I thank You for all of the many blessings in my life. . . . . even the ones that are hard to recognize as blessings! I thank You Father. . . . . I thank You! In the precious name of Jesus I pray. . . . . Amen!~
1Th 5:15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
1Th 5:16Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In reading this passage today, it struck me that I am not doing all that I am supposed to do according to God's Word. I am borrowing a commentary from Blue Letter Bible to help explain verse 14: Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all: Paul told the Thessalonians - the people, not only the pastor and leaders - to minister in a variety of ways, depending on the state of the person who needs the ministry. So if someone is unruly, the duty of the Christian is to warn them. Others need comfort, others need to be upheld.i. The unruly are those who are out of order, using a military word that describes the soldier that breaks ranks or marches out of step. This is the self-willed person who simply demands to hold their own opinion or preference. These must be warned.
ii. The fainthearted are those who, literally, are small-souled. By nature or experience they tend to be timid and lack courage. These need comfort – in the sense of assisting strength – to be brought to them.
iii. The weak must be upheld, and assisted with an eye to building their own strength instead of perpetuating their weakness.
c. Be patient with all: Though different approaches must be taken with different people, Christians must be patient with all. This is because true Christianity is shown by its ability to love and help difficult people. We do not look for only perfect people to minister to and to minister with.
d. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone: The Christian never should seek revenge or vengeance, but let God take up our side. Instead, we must always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. When we have a forgiving heart towards others, not only is it good for them, it is good for ourselves.
Here is the link for the full commentary
http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=8051&commInfo=31&topic=1%20Thessalonians&ar=1Th_4_14
1Th 5:16Rejoice always,
Always. . . good times. . . . bad times. . . . hard times. . . . ALL TIMES! ! !
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
This means to always have an attitude of prayer. We cannot pray verbally at all times, but we can be mindful of God and bring HIM into every equation of our lives! We can always have an attitude of prayer and know that in every situation, prayer should be our FIRST defense. . . . not our last hope!
1Th 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
In EVERYTHING. . . . . did you get the EVERYTHING part here? Good, bad, ugly, and indifferent. . . . . EVERYTHING! ! ! ! ! Sometimes this seems so absolutely impossible sometimes. . . . I am the first to admit this one! I don't remember being too thankful the last time I had a virus. . . . or a broken heart. . . . . or when I feel like an utter failure! Kinda like when I fail at being thankful in EVERYTHING! Enough said. . . . I have thoroughly convicted myself at this point! Please note that when I try and point out things in scripture, I am doing it more for me than for anyone! It gives me a reality check in my life!
~Father God, let me start by asking You to forgive me for failing to do Your will as Your Word has directed me to do! Thank You for pointing out the things in my life that need changed and thank You for the help and strength You are giving me to help change what is unholy in me! I want to thank and praise You Father for loving me enough to allow Paul. . . . so many years ago, to speak to me today! Your Word is amazing. . . .Your love is incredible. . . . .Your sacrifice was beautiful, and in it all. . . . . I am thankful! I am so unworthy and yet You lavish Your love, Your compassion, and Your Son on me! I thank You for all of the many blessings in my life. . . . . even the ones that are hard to recognize as blessings! I thank You Father. . . . . I thank You! In the precious name of Jesus I pray. . . . . Amen!~