With privilege comes responsibility. The followers of Christ not only have the promise that they will live forever with Christ when He returns, but the responsibility of being Christ-like in this life. What does this means in practical terms? In his first inspired letter to the church at Thessalonica, chapter 5, verses 12 through 28 the Apostle Paul writes, “But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Don’t despise prophesies. Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it. Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
In the church both leaders and followers have a responsibility. Paul writes that the leaders work hard and admonish. For their part the people are to respect and to love those who are over them in the Lord. If the leaders are the kind of men they ought to be, this instruction should not be difficult for a true leader is always a true servant of those he leads. When people respect and love their leaders, and when the leaders truly serve the people, then it will be easy to obey Paul’s next instruction which is to, “Be at peace among yourselves .” (verse 13)
Service or ministry is not confined to leaders. The followers of Christ are to minister to each other. This includes warning the disorderly (NIV, idle). In chapter 4, verses 11 and 12, Paul had already said that the followers of Christ are to work so that they will not be dependent on anyone. In another place he writes, “…If anyone will not work, neither let him eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Ministry to one another also includes encouraging the timid and helping the weak. All of this is to be done with patience. Even if someone should wrong or hurt him, the follower of Christ is not to retaliate. This agrees with what Scripture says in another place, “not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9) Instead of retaliation, the follower of Christ is to do “that which is good” for others. This kindness is to extend to even those outside of the church.
Paul’s instruction to “Rejoice always” (verse 16) may seem impossible. Life is full of hardship and pain. How can anyone be joyful all the time? Paul provides the answer when he says, “Don’t quench the Spirit.” (verse 19) One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. Therefore, joy should be one of a Christian’s outstanding characteristics. If we are not joyful, we should ask ourselves whether we are allowing God’s Spirit to work in us.
Some religions have set times for prayer. But Paul writes that the follower of Christ should, “Pray without ceasing.” (verse 17) How can this be? The key to understanding this is to realize that Paul is not talking about performing rituals, but about communicating with God. As members of God’s household, the followers of Christ should always be ready to talk to their heavenly Father.
Another command which, at first, seems impossible to obey is, “In everything give thanks.” (verse 18) Paul writes that it God’s will that we should do so. How can one give thanks in the midst of suffering, illness, financial hardship or persecution? It becomes possible when we understand God’s purpose for our lives. Paul had already written about the hope the followers of Christ have because they will one day be with Christ forever. God is using every circumstance of life to make us more like Christ. Because we are becoming like Him, we can be thankful for the things which God is using to shape and mold us into His image.
Paul next writes that the followers of Christ should not treat prophecies with contempt. (verse 20) It is easy to dismiss someone who claims to have a message from God. But, if what they say is in harmony with Scripture, then we should be willing to listen. On the other hand, we should not blindly accept what someone has to say. Paul writes that we should test everything. A good example of this principle is found in Acts chapter 17, verse 11, “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” If people were commended for testing what the Apostle Paul said, should we not be even more careful to examine what others tell us? Notice that the standard by which we are to test everything is the Scripture. There are two outcomes of the test. If the thing being examined is in harmony with Scripture, it is good and should be held onto. If not, it is evil and is to be avoided.
Paul prays that God will sanctify those to whom he is writing. This is something only God can do. He will do it, not because we deserve it but, because He is faithful. When someone is made holy by God not just a part but, his whole person, is made holy. And, having been made holy he will be found blameless at Christ’s return.
Paul urges the people to whom he is writing to greet one another with a holy kiss. If one has been sanctified by God, then everything in his life ought to be holy as well. Today, we do not usually greet one another with a kiss. But whatever our custom of greeting might be, it should be genuine and holy.
There are those who claim that the Christian Scriptures have been changed. Such claims, however, fail to take the facts into account. Paul gave a command before God to have this letter read to all the followers of Christ. Since this letter was known by all, had anyone dared to make any change in it, any such change would have been detected immediately.
Paul closes the letter the same way he began it. He prays that those to whom he is writing will experience the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. You, too, can have that grace if you are one of Christ’s followers.