Day 600: 1 Thessalonians 5- Build Up

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Final Instructions and Benediction12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
 
Meditation
Jesus will return in glory to fully establish His Kingdom in justice and righteousness. Until Jesus returns the importance of Christian community is highlighted by the teaching to wait by building one another up.
 
“Encourage one another and build one another up,” writes Paul (11). Anticipation of the return of King Jesus is justification of the teaching. We do not know the time of Christ’s return (1-3) but we are told it should unite Christians. Christians are “children of light” (4-5) and we must stay awake (6-7), ready for Christ to come in glory. Individually this means we have faith (8-9). Collectively this means we come together (10-11).
 
Jesus joins Paul in teaching that no one knows when He will return (Matthew 24:36-44). The point is to empower Christians to encourage and edify one another. To prepare for Christ’s return is not to calculate timing but catalyze community and connectivity, to live in corporate hope and love.
 
The series of specifics included in “encouraging one another and building one another up” has something for everyone (12-28). Every Christian has a role in edifying Christ’s Body! Christians honor leadership, live at peace with one another, and care for the congregation by caring for specific needs and “seeking to do good to one another and to everyone” (15).
 
Richly Dwelling
-The return of Jesus is promised! How does this revelation give you hope?
 
-God’s word does not offer details on Christ’s return but direction for life together. How can you encourage other Christians and build others up?
 
-Which of the final specific steps offered by Paul sits in your soul, gaining traction for godliness in your life? How can you act on one today?
 
Key Verse
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

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