23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Thoughts:

He is faithful.  He will do it.  He will sanctify you.  He will keep your spirit, soul and body blameless until Christ’s return.  God Himself, the God of peace, is faithful, and will sanctify you through and through!  I hope that just blows your mind and brings you joy and confidence!

Peter instructed us to “make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.” (2 Peter 3:14)  We should certainly make every effort to keep ourselves free from sin, but apart from the forgiveness that comes through faith in Christ you cannot make yourself truly blameless.  We may strive to live blamelessly, yet we all fail daily (ok, maybe you only fail weekly or monthly, but you fail).  Only faith in the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ brings forgiveness (Romans 5:1, Ephesians 3:12). 

I’m so thankful that God has promised me His forgiveness through my faith (trust) in Christ.  I know that no matter how hard I try, I can never truly be blameless (forgiven – a clean slate) through my own effort.  That truth doesn’t give me an excuse to live as I please – to sin whenever I feel like it.  Instead, it gives me the freedom to strive for righteous living without the burden of guilt or sense of futility brought on by my imperfection and my failures. 

God help those who are constantly urged to keep themselves pure, yet are not constantly reminded that their faithful God is ultimately their source of sanctification and blamelessness – not themselves (Ephesians 2:8).  It’s not surprising that Paul would end his letter to these Christians with such encouraging words… He is faithful.  He will do it.  He will sanctify you.  He will keep your spirit, soul and body blameless until Christ’s return.

Enjoy the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

Thoughts:

Yes, the Bible has its “Do’s” and “Don’ts”… but like any good parent, God the Father doesn’t remain silent and allow you to go through life without instruction and warning.  Some lessons are better learned apart from the school of hard knocks.  These “Don’ts” and “Do’s” are for church life, and I suppose they serve as warnings for both the teacher (preacher) and student in the body of Christ.

Don’t quench the Spirit.  Don’t “extinguish” the Spirit is perhaps a more appropriate translation for modern english.  Paul uses the same word in Ephesians 6:16…  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  I’m aware that most preaching on the phrase “Don’t quench the Spirit” is related to one’s inner promptings from God’s Spirit within, leading, urging, guiding one into action.  Within context, it might be that Paul is urging the Christians not to “write off” preaching/teaching (treat prophesy with contempt) without serious consideration.  Before you take something too lightly or pour on an unhealthy dose of cynicism (you’ve heard it all, and you’ve heard it all before), prayerfully ponder whether or not the instruction might be from God’s Spirit.  God may be starting a fire and you may be hearing what amounts to a spark or a burning coal.  Be careful that you are not pouring water on the Spirit’s fire. 

And now, a warning for the preacher/teacher…  The listener/student is also taught to test everything, hold on to the good and reject what is evil.  Within context, it could be that Paul is stating the obvious (but oft forgotten)… sometimes preachers/teachers will be wrong.  Imperfection?  Yes.  In Acts 20:30-31 Paul warns the Ephesian Elders, “Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.  So be on your guard!”  He didn’t say “be hypercritical” or “be cynical”, but the message is clear… “Be on your guard.”

Preacher, Evangelist, Pastor, Elder, Teacher… “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  Remember, however, that you are not perfect, and that God has instructed your listeners to “test everything” that you teach.  Welcome the godly scrutiny.  It’s hard, I  know.  I’ve experienced the uncomfortable confrontations, both from the giving and receiving perspectives.  But it’s ok.  If everyone is godly in their motives, and if pride is absent, the Spirit’s fire will not be extinguished and the church will be purged of unhealthy teaching.

From my experience, it’s pride that’s the poison – in both the preacher and the listener – but neither the preacher or listener should be afraid of these “Don’ts and Do’s”.

Enjoy “Don’ts and Do’s” – They’re good for you!

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

Thoughts:

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Rejoice, pray, give thanks… I just love it - this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus!  I’m grateful that my relationship with God, in Christ, isn’t an empty ritualistic religion that has no affect on my heart.  My Father wants me to be happy.  My Father wants me to share my heart with him.  My Father wants me to be overflowing with thankfulness!  Wow!

I appreciated the Thanksgiving holiday this year.  I awakened wanting to be thankful, and my wife made it easier for me, by cooking biscuits and gravy for breakfast.  Yum!  My daughter joined us for the humble feast, and my son and his wife joined us later in the morning.  Later, we joined another family for a Thanksgiving meal, fun and fellowship.  It’s all good.    

I have so much to be happy about and to be thankful for!  Having lost my Mother this year, it’s not been easy to be thankful in all circumstances, but I am so thankful for her.  I’ve been so blessed to have such a wonderful “Mom”.  All it takes is a few moments of reflection to realized how blessed I am (God’s love and mercy, my salvation, God’s Spirit in me, family, friends, job, home, comforts, etc.), and although not everyone in the world can relate to my circumstances, we can all better ourselves (and bless ourselves) by reflecting on all that we have to be thankful for.

I read these few verses this morning, and was reminded again the importance of joy, prayer and thankfulness.  I thank God that His will for me is for me to be a “happy camper” every day.  May God help us – his Spirit within us – to be joyful, prayerful and thankful… more than ever.

Enjoy thankfulness!

12 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. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Thoughts:

It takes all kinds.  Yes it does.  It takes all kinds to make a world… and a church family.  There are the hard workers, and there are those who are idle.  There are the strong and the weak.  There are the peaceful and the disruptive.  There are the confident and the disheartened.  It takes all kinds.

I’m thankful that God has provided some instructions for how we treat eachother, whether strong or weak; whether peace maker or trouble maker.  I feel more secure knowing that there is instruction – that Christians aren’t living in the spiritual “Wild West”.

Those who work hard, care for you and admonish you… acknowledge them, respect them.  Those who are idle or disruptive… warn them.  Encourage the disheartened and help the weak.  And for everyone (all kinds)… live in peace with each other and be patient with everyone.  Don’t return wrong for a wrong.  Do what’s good for each other (and everyone else).

We all struggle to do these things as we’re instructed.  Our pride can make it difficult to respect others that may work hard and admonish us (especially if they aren’t particularly humble or perfect).  It’s easier to let someone else deal with the trouble maker.  It’s easier to let someone else motivate the idle Christian.  It’s easier to let someone else correct those who would repay wrong for a wrong. 

Along with the helpful instruction comes God’s desire for each of us to do our part – to take responsibility as a family member.  Whether respect, correction or encouragement… God teaches us to be responsible.  It would be more convenient if this were not true, but… true.

Perspective:  Although this teaching shakes our selfish core, it also makes for healthy family – Christian family.  All healthy families are a mix of hard work, respect, correction, patience, disruption, idleness, weakness, wrong for wrong (yes.. we all know how imperfect Christians can be).  We’re talking “healthy” – not “perfect”.  Strive… to do what is good for each other.  Your church family will be healthier, and you will share in the blessings.

Enjoy responsibility.

 1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Thoughts:

It’s coming - Like an unexpected attack on Pearl Harbor – Like an unexpected attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center.  The sleeper is awakened by the surprise.  We sleep, and we’re shocked.  Fortunately, the effects of the shock can be avoided or lessened considerably by expecting “it” to happen at any time and being prepared. 

1. Be alert and self-controlled.
2. Put on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
3. Encourage one another and build each other up.

Be alert, always joyfully expecting Christ’s return at any moment. Practice self control in your living, confidently holding to purity because it does count! Put on the armor of faith, love and hope, fighting off every temptation to sin or give up.  Encourage each other and build each other up, because we were created to be in relationship, helping and being helped through life.  No one should have to go it alone.

Enjoy Expectation!

13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Thoughts:

I do feel for those without hope.  Faith and love spring up from the seedbed of hope (Col. 1:5).  Every Christian should have an abundance of hope stored up in their heart, through the knowledge of God and the good news of eternal life in Christ.  Unfortunately, we can allow ourselves to focus on all of the stresses, challenges and burdens of life, as well as the sadness of death.  Hope can so easily be lost, even due to simple busy living.

The early Christians needed help coping with the deaths of their fellow disciples.  Not only did they need to be taught about the resurrection and the return of Christ, but they also needed to “encourage each other” with that message.  Maybe you need to be encouraged.  Perhaps you’ve been losing perspective and your hope has been fading.  Is there no one in your life that is encouraging you?  If so, then read this passage from 1 Thessalonians every day.  Read other passages that give you hope.  Let Paul be your encourager, or Peter (etc.).  Don’t wait for anyone else to take on that role in your life.

I would also like to say that in my 32 years as a Christian, I’ve heard far to little preaching that brings hope.  There is a lot of good preaching going on – don’t get me wrong – but I believe that the more simple and profound truths of the gospel of Christ have taken a back seat to “the practicals”.  The simple message of forgiveness, peace with God, resurrection and eternal life brings great hope to the heart.

People who have a hard time (for whatever reason) applying “the practicals” and perfecting themselves need hope.  They need to be reminded that Christ didn’t die only to help them perfect earthly living, but that they may have eternal life (John 3:16).  It can be quite discouraging when you are constantly reminded, week to week, of your weaknesses and sins. 

It’s good to be reminded constantly that “It is by grace you have been saved… and that not of yourselves… not by works… you are God’s workmanship…”.  This gives me hope!  The joy of knowing that Christ died for me so that I might have forgiveness and eternal life!  From that hope, my faith and love are grown and strengthened.

Enjoy Encouragement!

1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.  11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Thoughts:

Live!  Live to please God.  No need to worry though, because God has already provided for inability to do so.  Just make the effort, more and more… because it’s God’s desire for you to be “sanctified” (set apart for God’s will – for God’s purposes).  The beautiful thing about sanctification is that you can truly live! (see 1 Timothy 6:19, “…life that is truly life.”)

It’s sad… we can easily view the teachings as lists of what we “can’t do” and “must do” in order to please God.  Yes, we should desire to please God, but we can forget why God is pleased by these choices.  God is our Father.  As the perfect Father, God is pleased, not in legal terms, but as a Father is pleased to see his children living wisely, happily and carefully.  God loves us, and because of his love for us He instructs us. 

Paul certainly makes some very serious statements regarding punishment for sin and rejecting God’s instruction, and we should be mindful of these things.  These are valid motivators, but the Christian should never lose perspective.  God is your Father, and in this case… “Father Knows Best”.  Avoid sexual impurity, love each other, lead a quiet life, mind your own business, work with your hands… it all adds up to “life that is truly life”.

Enjoy life… more and more!

6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Thoughts:

Faith, Love and pleasant memories… that’s good news!  Life should be filled with faith, love and pleasant memories.  Just yesterday, my brother commented that while going through our Mother’s things (she recently passed away), he’s been amazed at how there was so much “good” that she had treasured – not a trace of discontent.  Mom’s life was filled with faith, love and pleasant memories of family and friends.

It’s interesting to consider what encouraged Paul… their faith, love, pleasant memories – that they are standing firm in the Lord.  And it’s equally interesting to consider what he asks for when praying for them… to see them again.  Consider what he desires for them… “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.”

Faith, love and pleasant memories… strengthened hearts… blameless and holy… these are what I hope fills my heart and my life.  Good stuff.

Enjoy faith, love and pleasant memories.

 1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.

Thoughts:

 It’s nice to know that someone has your best interests in mind – to know they care about your spiritual well-being.  Ministry should be about strengthening and encouraging Christians in their faith, whether they be undergoing persecution, struggling in their marriage, hurting over their wayward children, suffering with cancer, freaking out over finances – I could go on, but you get the idea. 

Paul couldn’t stand to go on with his “ministry” work, along with his son in the faith, Timothy, knowing the Christians in Thessalonica were being persecuted and that their faith might be weakening.  He was concerned for their welfare.  Think of all that ministry people have to be concerned about: church growth, outreach, programs, attendance, contribution, budget, missions, visionary planning, study, worship services, sermons, etc.  Blessed be those ministry folks that never lose sight of the fact that strengthening and encouraging faith in the Christians they serve is paramount.

Enjoy your faith.

Acts 3:16
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.

Acts 15:9
He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

Romans 1:17
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 3:28
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Romans 5:2
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

2 Corinthians 1:24
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight.

Galatians 2:16
know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

1 Thessalonians 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith…

 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.  17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Thoughts:

Just something to consider…  Who do you find yourself thanking God for – continually?  We each have special family and friends that we hold dear and remember in our prayers.  I like to begin prayer with thanksgiving, and it would be easy to spend quite a bit of time just thanking God for family and friends, and interceding for them.  It’s not a waste of time.  It’s only  natural and healthy to pray for those you love and to be thankful for the blessings they bring to your life.  Take the time.  Paul took the time… it was just natural, because of his love and appreciation for these Christians.

It’s encouraging to know that God’s word is at work in you – you who believe.  God’s word doesn’t stop working in you if you don’t read it for a day.  God’s word is more powerful than that.  God’s word is spiritual: living and active.  Put God’s word into your mind and your heart – and believe.  God’s word will be “at work” in you.  You gotta love that!

Relationships… Christian fellowship that is meaningful, encouraging and life-changing.  It’s amazing to me how Paul’s heart went out to Christians he was serving in ministry.  He sincerely expresses his love and bond in phrases like “torn away from you”, “intense longing”, “made every effort to see you”, “we wanted to come to you” and “you are our glory and joy”.  I would hope that all Christians have this quality of relationship, whether it be with one believer or many.  Having lived in many cities since becoming a Christian in 1978, I find it difficult to keep up with all of the wonderful believers with whom I have a bond of fellowship and fond memories (I’m thankful for Facebook.com), but it’s a nice problem to have! 

Enjoy fellowship!