Daily Devotion, June 20, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24.

As the apostle Paul finishes this letter to those who’d become Christians in Thessalonica, he gives them a number of 'do's and don'ts' which all form part of how the gospel message should change our lives. What is the 'do' in vs 12-13 and why is it important?

Christians are called to love those who God raises up to lead His flock, even if those leaders have to challenge wrong things in our life. The result of this is that the Church experiences peace rather than quarrels. This isn’t a blind obedience to Popes and Bishops, but a love of leaders in local congregations who preach and teach God's word faithfully and truthfully with a holy humility.

What are the do's and don'ts of vs 14-15?

Christians are not to be lazy spongers, and not to be a people looking for revenge on others. Instead, they are called to look out for the needs of one another and seek to be of help wherever they can. This doesn't mean we are to be interfering busy-bodies, but just that we are not to be so self-focused that we don't see the difficulties others may be going through.

What about vs 16-22?

These touch on the 'spiritual' activities of the Church. We're called to joyfully keep what God has done for us in Christ in mind, and to not neglect prayer and thanking Him daily for His grace. Christians must be careful of tossing out what could be a work of God's Spirit, but also be careful to not believe and follow everything they see and hear. The fact that Paul adds 'stay away from evil' suggests that some people who claim to have spiritual gifts may in fact be leading people into evil. We see a lot of that in our generation.

Verses 23-24 are a prayer that Paul offers for these people but, before focusing on it, what are the last do's he gives to them in vs 25-28?

He humbly asks them to pray for him and the other workers. He didn't think of himself so highly that he didn't need their prayers. And he urges them to show a holy love to one another and to read the letter he had written. In the same way, Christians today should make the Bible central in their gatherings.

Personal Worship Option:

The prayer in vs 23-24 is one that we should pray for ourselves too, as well as for other Christians. We need God's grace to bring us to holy living so that we are ready and waiting for Christ's return. The One who called us to follow Jesus is faithful and He will give us the strength to do it.