(1Th 5:17) “Pray without ceasing.”  This verse proves that one should walk and talk with the Lord. Talking with the Lord constantly as we move throughout our day gives us the consciousness of being in His presence always. We should find we sin less against Him, for we are conscience that moment of our thoughts and actions before Him.

(1Th 5:16)  “Rejoice evermore.”  One seldom hears outside of church, Believers rejoicing, giving the Lord praise or thanks. Why is that? Is it because we are so focused on the world and our activity that we forget our God? The Bible says, “Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee”. God help us to keep our focus on things above and before a world of lost give glory to God! Rejoice!  

(1Th 5:15) “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”   Of course, when it says “follow that which is good”, it is referring to “in the sight of God”. I ask, “How can we know what is good if we have not read all the Bible? It is there God reveals how He sees right and wrong.” People think they can trust their heart to tell them what is “good”; or their conscience. No. The heart is so deceitful that only God knows it and the conscience is defiled by sin. First, be saved, born spiritually from above. Second, read the Bible.

 (1Th 5:15) “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”  The saved are to behave themselves as the Lord Jesus would, as Romans puts it, “ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…..” (Rom 13:14 ). We are to put ourselves aside and react to people as the Lord would react. No easy but possible through humility before Him and asking that the Spirit of God give you the ability. We often think of “I can do all things through Christ” as over problems, but it includes living as He would have us to live. 

(1Th 5:14) “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”   “Be patient towards all men”. It can be easy to lose patience towards those who are belligerent to the gospel. These are often haughty. Being patient does not mean do not be bold in standing for the gospel. One can strongly stand for the truth and do it with a godly attitude. Meekness does not weakness. In this case humility working with patience would mean remembering we were once lost without hope. It is remembering their soul is worth your patience. Even a proper rebuke can be done with the right attitude.

(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 church is not a building, but the people of the building – the adopted children of God forgiven and born through the blood of Christ Jesus. They are now brothers and sisters in a greater sense than physical brothers and sisters. The Thessalonians suffered persecution because of their faith. As they looked at the circumstances, there were those who were weak and needed a relative to come and put his or her arm around them to strengthen them. So it is today. Are you in need? Tell your brothers or sisters. Do not be ashamed, for we are in great need of humbling ourselves before others.

(1Th 5:14) “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”   “feebleminded”: little spirited, faint-hearted. There are those who, seeing the signs of the times, will be weak spiritually. Instead of looking down upon such, we are to exhort them, lift them up. We are to be their encouragement to keep on keeping on, walking with and in the Lord. Be patient with them, you that are spiritual. Walk in humility.  Remember, we are each to be encouraging each other in the faith.

(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.