Keep These Things In Mind (2)

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 (ESV)

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, [13] and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. [14] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [15] See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. [16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil. 

The end of verse 13 starts us on the next area Paul wants us to keep in mind: to be at peace with each other. And verse 14 gives practical advice on the matter: first to spur on those who just may be loitering in our midst; next we are to encourage those who fear to make the next step in their journey; and we are to help those who have no strength. On top of this, we are to be patient with all these folks.

Why would Paul include all this? I think because he is addressing our human nature. Instead of spurring on, encouraging and helping we would be judging these folks. We seem to forget our own faults when we start seeing the faults and weaknesses in others (Matthew 7:3-5).

Have you noticed a trend so far? Paul is calling us to what God would have us to do, not what our nature calls for.  This is followed up in verse 15; for us to do what he asks we need to have the indwelling Holy Spirit guiding us: not to repay evil with evil but to always seek to do good to one another and to everyone (Romans 12:18-21). Remember that it just takes a thought to repay evil with evil (Matthew 5:22). I’ve done this, but I’m thankful that I’m learning to hold my peace and not compound the evil. I tell you though, the first reaction or thought is to “stick it” to them; or teach them a lesson. But the more that I yield to God in how I react to situations, the better I am to not repay evil with evil.

The last two days we have learned to respect our leaders, love each other and spur each other on, and not to seek revenge. We know that for the most part this is not our nature: our nature is to rebel, to judge and to get back at our attackers. Paul reminds us that we have a new nature (Ephesians 4:22-25), and its only through this new nature that we can follow “these things to keep in mind.”

(continued tomorrow)