VII. An Authentic Farewell (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)
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VII. An Authentic Farewell (5:12-28)
5:14 It takes great wisdom to shepherd God’s people well. Part of that wisdom lies in being aware of the different seasons in which people live. For those who are idle, Paul says we should warn them. There comes a time we must, out of love for fellow believers, confront them when they are not walking with Jesus.
To those who are discouraged, Paul says we should offer comfort. Not every problem a person experiences in life is a result of their sin. When a fellow believer is lacking in courage, he or she needs you to believe for them, and to be their comfort.
To those who are weak, we should offer help. After all, as the old song says, we all need somebody to lean on. Today I may help you in your weakness, but tomorrow I will need you to help me in mine. That’s how the body of Christ works.
Finally—and this is the most difficult part—we should be patient with everyone. We must be patient with people who are sinning and with people who are suffering, with people who want to change and with people who do not. Patience aims for every target. We must demonstrate compassion without compromise.
5:16-22 Here is Paul the preacher again. Though it almost seems as if he is nearing the end of his sermon, he has a lot more to say. He peppers the Thessalonians with short commands, trusting the Holy Spirit to put meat on those bones and help them apply the commands more specifically. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything. . . . Don’t stifle the Spirit. . . . Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. The commands are simple, but following them certainly isn’t! The only way we can constantly give thanks and rejoice is by knowing that God is working something out in our lives.
5:23-24 Not only is God working in our lives, but Paul is confident that he who calls [us] is faithful (5:24). God has never started a project he did not finish. And if he has started on you, you can be sure that he will sanctify you completely as you allow him to transform you from the inside out (spirit, soul, and body) (5:23).
5:25-28 Paul concludes by asking for prayer, sending greetings to all the church, and commanding that his letter be read to everyone (5:25-27). He began the letter with mention of grace (1:1) and ends it the same way: the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (5:28). From first to last, and every step along the way, the Christian life is lived by grace.