(1) You who know the gospel of God’s grace - redeemed by the Spirit and the blood - we exhort and encourage you to live differently and lovingly, manifesting your salvation. Use FORGIVENESS received to help the church, living in harmony with God - “Now we exhort you, brothers, warm them that are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak” (vs14).
The disorderly must be warned that their actions don’t show the love of Christ, and He cannot be loved in word only. The faint-hearted need comfort. They need constant pointing to Christ, the Strength. God‘s promises and love demonstrated by you work to help the weak and fearful.
(2) Be patient with all. Never go “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth”, but LOVE in response to hate. Good works will overcome the bad of others - “Be patient toward all. See that none render evil for evil unto any; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all“ (vs14-15). Always be right, even when people are wrong with you. Respond properly, not only to believers, but love all men.
(3) Always rejoice in Christ, and never think the door of prayer is closed. Christ’s blood has made access to God OPEN unto you continually (Zech 13:1). 1 Thess 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice ever more. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. Be thankful for what you have in Christ, always. He can remove everything - health, family, etc - and still be just. However, He will never take away the covenant promises, Christ, and the hope of heaven.
(4) The Spirit must reign and not the human. He must be obeyed in the gospel, as He points us to Christ, so that we BELIEVE on God’s Son and love as commanded - “Quench not the Spirit“ (vs19). Even when your conscience is grieved, now Christ‘ DEATH is enough for God to be gracious, and don‘t despise it or turn away. He adds, despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (vs20-21). Hear the word of God opened and declared. But, only believe, “Thus says the Lord”.
(5) If it is wrong, don’t do it. Don’t support false religion, but turn from it to godliness and God’s people. We have been called to newness of life - “Abstain from every form of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it“ (vs22-24).
Blamelessness isn’t perfection in the flesh; it is sincere heart-belief, manifested in the life - “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all, even as we do toward you: to the end He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thess 3:12-13). He hasn’t called us to be perfect, but He has commanded us to be true. I’m not a perfect pastor, but I am without blame, awaiting His coming again. God will do all that is required in newness of life. This is our confidence before God.
Lastly, pray for those who bring Christ to you, love each other intimately, and know that your gospel must be believed by all - “Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” (vs25-28). If they are holy, they’ll trust and obey the same Christ, walking by the same grace, not merit, and not human strength. So be it to you!
The disorderly must be warned that their actions don’t show the love of Christ, and He cannot be loved in word only. The faint-hearted need comfort. They need constant pointing to Christ, the Strength. God‘s promises and love demonstrated by you work to help the weak and fearful.
(2) Be patient with all. Never go “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth”, but LOVE in response to hate. Good works will overcome the bad of others - “Be patient toward all. See that none render evil for evil unto any; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all“ (vs14-15). Always be right, even when people are wrong with you. Respond properly, not only to believers, but love all men.
(3) Always rejoice in Christ, and never think the door of prayer is closed. Christ’s blood has made access to God OPEN unto you continually (Zech 13:1). 1 Thess 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice ever more. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. Be thankful for what you have in Christ, always. He can remove everything - health, family, etc - and still be just. However, He will never take away the covenant promises, Christ, and the hope of heaven.
(4) The Spirit must reign and not the human. He must be obeyed in the gospel, as He points us to Christ, so that we BELIEVE on God’s Son and love as commanded - “Quench not the Spirit“ (vs19). Even when your conscience is grieved, now Christ‘ DEATH is enough for God to be gracious, and don‘t despise it or turn away. He adds, despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (vs20-21). Hear the word of God opened and declared. But, only believe, “Thus says the Lord”.
(5) If it is wrong, don’t do it. Don’t support false religion, but turn from it to godliness and God’s people. We have been called to newness of life - “Abstain from every form of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it“ (vs22-24).
Blamelessness isn’t perfection in the flesh; it is sincere heart-belief, manifested in the life - “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all, even as we do toward you: to the end He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thess 3:12-13). He hasn’t called us to be perfect, but He has commanded us to be true. I’m not a perfect pastor, but I am without blame, awaiting His coming again. God will do all that is required in newness of life. This is our confidence before God.
Lastly, pray for those who bring Christ to you, love each other intimately, and know that your gospel must be believed by all - “Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” (vs25-28). If they are holy, they’ll trust and obey the same Christ, walking by the same grace, not merit, and not human strength. So be it to you!
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