This passage is the final instruction of Paul to the Thessalonian believers. As committed believers, they should live and practice necessary habits consistently.
How should we, as committed believers, live consistently?
1. We Respect our Leaders/Mentors
It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”
Take note on important words used in this passage: “acknowledge,” “love,” “hold them in the highest regard.” These words directly refer to “those who work hard among you.”
Those who worked hard are leaders, workers, and mentors in the ministry. There are many ways to express our love and respect to our leaders. A committed believer respects leaders on a consistent basis.
2. We Love One Another
In verses 13b-15, Paul continued to tell them a very important instruction, “Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
This passage speaks about how these believers should treat each other. For instance, Paul used the words “live in peace,” “warn,” “encourage,” “help,” “be patient,” and “do good.” These words emphasized a vertical relationship. The readers should consistently develop a “loving” relationship toward each other. Despite differences of personality, opinion, and status, everyone is encouraged to consider and love others.
3. We Always Give Thanks
Another lifestyle of a committed believer is found in verses 16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”
In this passage, “God’s will” does not refer to “all circumstances.” But it refers to “giving thanks.” Sometimes, many of us see it in a different perspective, that is, “my difficult situation in life is the will of God” kind of statement.
It is God’s will for us to rejoice, pray, and give thanks on a consistent basis. These words of Paul are not always easy to put into practice. In fact, hard to apply. One has a certain level of spiritual maturity in order for these habits to be practiced daily. When we chose to give thanks and put our trust in the Lord, instead of turning away from him, in difficult circumstances, our faith “muscle” is stretched and developed.
Related Post: The Power of Gratitude
4. We Rely on God’s Power
In verses 9-22, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, avoid every kind of evil.”
The summary of these verses boils down to a foundational concept: we should always rely on God’s power, the Holy Spirit. Most of the time, it is easier for most of us to rely on our willpower rather than on God’s power. As human beings, we want to rely on our own intelligence rather than God’s wisdom. Willpower is exhaustible! It has been scientifically proven that our willpower can be drained, the more we use the less we have available for it. Do not rely on willpower, rely on God’s power.
We can respect our leaders, love one another, and be able to give thanks always, at the highest level, when we fully depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.
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