32 - Connecting w/ God
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 32 | DEALING WITH THE FAMILY
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 32 | DEALING WITH THE FAMILY
DEALING WITH THE FAMILY
1 Thessalonians 5:14
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
Doing life with other believers sounds like it would be easy and natural. After all, we are all born again, have accepted Jesus as our Lord, and are destined for heaven someday. Yet, people are still people and the Body of Christ needs every part doing its part in order for the Body (the local church) to function properly and effectively.
Here, Paul is advising the Thessalonians as to how to deal with members of the Body who are struggling in one way or another.
Apparently, there were some who were causing problems by being idle (not working) and/or disruptive (“unruly” in one translation). For these folks, Paul suggested a warning (which is short of either condemnation or rebuke).
Others were struggling with being disheartened, perhaps feeling timid or lacking the courage to share their gift or talent with others. Some were weak – perhaps in a moral area – and needed to build their strength rather than perpetuate their weakness.
Finally, Paul tells us to “be patient with everyone.” Our faith is shown by our ability to love and help difficult people. We do not look for only perfect people to minister to and with.
It’s amazing to me how relevant these words are for us today too. In every age, there are those who fit into the categories mentioned in this verse. And whereas we may have emotions that try to dictate how to respond to these folks… once again, the words spoken by Paul from the Spirit of God, give us the proper response.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping to guide me with the best response for Christians around me who fit into one of these categories. Help me to remember and to be a DOER of the Word and not a hearer only. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
Doing life with other believers sounds like it would be easy and natural. After all, we are all born again, have accepted Jesus as our Lord, and are destined for heaven someday. Yet, people are still people and the Body of Christ needs every part doing its part in order for the Body (the local church) to function properly and effectively.
Here, Paul is advising the Thessalonians as to how to deal with members of the Body who are struggling in one way or another.
Apparently, there were some who were causing problems by being idle (not working) and/or disruptive (“unruly” in one translation). For these folks, Paul suggested a warning (which is short of either condemnation or rebuke).
Others were struggling with being disheartened, perhaps feeling timid or lacking the courage to share their gift or talent with others. Some were weak – perhaps in a moral area – and needed to build their strength rather than perpetuate their weakness.
Finally, Paul tells us to “be patient with everyone.” Our faith is shown by our ability to love and help difficult people. We do not look for only perfect people to minister to and with.
It’s amazing to me how relevant these words are for us today too. In every age, there are those who fit into the categories mentioned in this verse. And whereas we may have emotions that try to dictate how to respond to these folks… once again, the words spoken by Paul from the Spirit of God, give us the proper response.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping to guide me with the best response for Christians around me who fit into one of these categories. Help me to remember and to be a DOER of the Word and not a hearer only. Amen.
Posted in Connecting w/ God