In the final section of 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul brings up, again, the topic of Christian conduct. In chapter four, Paul reminds the church that since it has been sanctified, its life must be different than what it had been before. Here, Paul describes the sanctified life in greater detail than he does previously. If understood to be a continuation of what comes before it, the apostle is providing the Thessalonians with a picture of the life of a day-walker.

“12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.”

The person who is “of the day” realizes he or she must have guidance to live a fully righteous and faithful life. God will provide whomever is needed to lead the congregation down the particular path that the congregation has been asked to follow. Those who walk in the day realize that there are no free agents and that they depend upon one another; therefore, they must, “Live in peace with one another.”

In the next two verses, Paul describes what it means to live in peace with each other.

“14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.”

Care enough about the other person that you are willing to involve yourself in that person’s life. Those who walk in the day are deeply committed to one another for the betterment of our faith. We are not in this alone. What’s more, this concern is not to stop at the church doors but must extend beyond them. “…always seek what is good for one another and for all people,” the apostle writes. But how often do we take this to heart—this active striving to improve the quality of one another’s faith and closeness of our walk with Christ?

This is a call for our congregations to be more than Sunday social meetings with a little Jesus thrown in. This is a call for an active, brave, and broad faith: a Three Musketeers faith. You know: “All for one and one for all!” If we are honest, this is not what happens in our congregations, is it?

Verses 14 and 15 are how day-walkers should to respond to one another and to all people; and in verses 16-22 Paul tells the Thessalonians how they can begin to cultivate this concern.

“16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject prophecies, 21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every form of evil.”

This is our inward response. We “admonish the unruly” (others); we also never stop rejoicing or praying or giving thanks. We don’t become Negative Nancys by quenching the Spirit. We have the courage to engage “prophecies” and not dismiss them out of hand. And we “hold firmly to that which is good, [while we] abstain from every form of evil.” As mentioned earlier in this series, this is very much James’ message to the Church that had given in and was looking to come back to a full, powerful, and life changing faith.

Those who live in the day have a responsibility to others and to themselves to strengthen the faith.

“23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. 28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians ends with his prayer for the church. He askes that all that may pull them away from Christ be removed from them, that God sanctify them fully. May they be of one mind and heart and purpose so that when that great and glorious day comes, the one back in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17, they will be ready.

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.” None of this is possible for the Thessalonians to accomplish on their own; they must die to themselves for Christ to live. Only God can do the impossible. “…in humility receive the implanted word which has the power to save your souls,” is how James puts it. Just because we cannot do what is necessary on our own, it does not mean that we are to fail to attempt it. The ultimate question is this: Do we really want to?

“Brothers and sisters, pray for us…Greet [each other] with a holy kiss…have this letter read to all the [Thessalonians].”

Lifechanging care begins with the smallest—the least—sign or action: the prayer, the kiss, sharing time with another for his or her betterment. What starts with these simple acts grows into a deep concern for others’ well-being that finally blooms into an inescapable, unshakeable desire for their salvation on that last Day.

I hope that through this series on 1 Thessalonians your faith in and trust of God has strengthened. Like the Thessalonian church, keep the faith when troubles occur, seek to live sanctified lives that are pleasing to God, and seek the best for others.

Thank you for listening to First Day and see you soon in the next series of 2 Thessalonians. Blessings and peace.