SHINE ON!
1 THESSALONIANS 5:14-15
1 THESSALONIANS 5:14-15
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
OBSERVATION:
Paul is wrapping up his letter to the church at Thessalonica. And it's as if he has a lot on his heart to share with the young church. Keeping in mind that Paul can't call or text or touch base with social media.
The church is encouraged in the areas of how to treat each other and those outside the church.
Warn the unruly, unruly is not very clear to us, and the footnote in my bible reads insubordinate or idle. Notice he did not say cut them off or blast them, just warn them.
Comfort the fainthearted. The King James translation uses the word feeble-minded, but that causes a negative connotation. A better rendering would be to speak kindly to the worried and fretful.
Support and uphold the weak, those without strength. And because all of us have been there at some time in our life, this shouldn't be too hard.
Be patient with everyone. Did I just lose you? This word patient is also seen in the New Testament as long-suffering. And long-suffering, or putting up with people, treating them with understanding, is a fruit of the Spirit.
See that no one renders evil for evil. Maybe a better way to express that would be see that nobody pays back wrong for wrong.
Instead, pursue, strive to do what is good for each other in the Body of Christ and for everyone else.
APPLICATION:
As I look at these instructions in the light of today's toxic culture, we would be so much better off if we took this encouragement to heart.
Social media has many advantages. We utilize it quite a lot as a church, but social media did not precede the scriptures. And even though these instructions are two thousand years old, the inspired truth they convey is timeless.
If we are to please God and represent the Lord Jesus as His ambassadors on earth, we must treat each other right. On and offline.
We treat people differently because we are different with the life and nature of God in our hearts. How we act towards others is one of the greatest ways we can shine a light into a dark world. So, shine on my brother and sister!
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, show me how I can develop further in my love for Your children in the Body of Christ. Show me how on a practical everyday basis I can shine my light.