(1Th 5:14) “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”   Yesterday we wrote a few words about not being “unruly”, insubordinate. I said the pastor was to exclusively rule. What I did not have space to write is that leadership in Scripture is servitude to Christ and to others. Remember, love thy neighbor as thyself is to put others before self. (Matt 22:39; Phil 2:3-4). So, we are not speaking of a dictator, or a lover of money, but a man who seeks the welfare of the church as a whole over ‘me and mine’.  

(1Th 5:14) “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”  The word, “unruly” here actually speaks of insubordination. We have been told that we live in a democracy (We actually do not. We live in a republic which is why we have those who are supposed to represent us. If we lived in a democracy we would have a personal vote on all things that affect us.) This has affected our thinking so much we think we should be able to vote or have a say on everything that happens in our church. That, brother/sister is a club mentality. We have been given a Pastor to rule over the church (Heb 13:7). I would guess you flinched over the word, “rule”. I did too. Yet, it is true. This is God’s plan. And remember, anything with two heads is a freak. So, we are not to be insubordinate towards our leadership. (Be sure to read tomorrow for more on this subject)

(1Th 5:13) “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”   In other words, “Get along with one another in a manner pleasing to God.” Remember, this is written to churches. So often “getting along”, or “being at peace” with one another simply means we hold in offenses. That in turn causes inner turmoil and gossip, for people do not keep it all in. When a person offends us, we are to in love go to that person. Why? Because we wish to love one another and keep things holy and pure in the sight of God. Be godly. Do right.

(1Th 5:12) “ And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”   Most of us are so proud, that if our pastor should admonish us, we would leave the church. We do not walk humbly before our God and man. Did you know that the Bible never uses the word, “proud”, in a positive way? It is always sinful. We speak of having “pride in ourselves” as if it is a good thing. Pride is of the devil. Our Lord walked in humility. “It is enough for a man to be as His Lord…..”

 (1Th 5:12) “ And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;”  This speaks directly of our relationship to our pastor(s). We are to get to know them. Period. We are to have more than a “Hi it’s Sunday” relationship. These men are our shepherds. They are even to admonish us when necessary and are able to do so through the relationship we have taken the time to build with them. Since we have already been commanded to love the brethren, it is not wrong to say we are to love our pastor(s).  

(1Th 5:11)  “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”   I cannot help but wonder if we practice edifying. Do we seek to encourage others in our conversations? Gossip does not edify. It tears down. Politics can bring a person down faster than anything. Do we look for the good in others and comment upon it? Lord help us to seek to lift others up in every conversation in sincerity and truth.

(1Th 5:11)  “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”  How often do each of us take this word “comfort” to a degree not pleasing to God. Here is what I mean: the person we are seeking to comfort has not done right and we talk around it rather than being honest. Have we helped them in the way pleasing to the Lord? Does the Lord deal in lies or in truth? We are to  (Eph 4:15) “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” We don’t wish to hurt their feelings, but silence is agreement in the heart of the other person. We have not helped and truly comforted if we have not represented our Lord with truth. 

(1Th 5:11)  “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”  I remind you this is written to (1Th 1:1)  “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians…..”  If you forsake God’s plan through the local New Testament Church and lie to yourself saying, “I can worship anywhere – at home, in a park, etc.” then you are disobedient to God and rob yourself and others of what is written in verse 11. Our Lord said He would build His church. God’s plan is through the church where He provided pastors and teachers and bestowed gifts upon his people to minister. Any other method of seeking to be “spiritual” to the casting away of faithful attendance is disobedience and will not be blessed. We will each give an account of ourselves before Him. Ask yourself if your excuse will hold water.

 (1Th 5:5) “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  AND  (1Th 5:10) “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”  Context proves this is written to the saved, Children of Light. The call is to watch and be sober, living for His glory (faith), seeking the souls of others (love). Verse 10 proves it is not the watching, the obedience that saves – salvation is already possessed (again, Children of Light), we will live together with Him. That fact should not keep us from being obedient, but should motivate our hearts to obedience.