Today, we will finish our section in I Thessalonians 5, where we look at how we should function individually and within the body of Christ. Paul is almost at the end of his letter to the church at Thessalonica, and the exhortations get shorter and more direct. The believers are encouraged to live a life representing our Lord well in a lost world. How we act shows what we believe and who we belong to. I have often heard it said that our lives are the only Bible some people read; therefore, the body of believers must live as close to what the Bible teaches as they possibly can. This task is easier if we all fulfill our role in the family of God with our brothers and sisters.
Our first verse today deals with prophesying. This is not the predicting of things to come but the preaching of the word. It is someone expounding and revealing what God has designed for us in his word. We must listen and gain all we can, for it is the foolishness of preaching that God uses to lead us to salvation. This is noted in I Corinthians 1:21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” We are to engage our minds and hearts to hear the word preached. It is God’s man revealing to us God’s words. It should be valued more than any other gift from God. No other gift has ever saved anyone. If you find yourself engaged and emotional during the singing but not at the preaching of God’s word, you need to have a “heart” check-up. The singing is to prepare us for the preaching, not take the place of it.
I Thessalonians 5:20 “Despise not prophesyings.”
The next verse could be an extension of verse 20. While we are to love the preaching of the word, we are not to take what is being preached without testing it. We are to read for ourselves and study to ensure that what we are taught is biblically correct. When we know the truth, it is our duty to hold on to it and obey it. In our world, too many turn on the television to get their preaching, and they buy into the feel-good religion that is not biblical. It is just as important to preach the wrath of God as it is to preach the love of God.
I Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Now we look at the command to “abstain from all appearance of evil.” I believe this is the most overlooked and most prevalent sin among Christians. While some things may be okay for the Christian, if they have the connotation of wrong or appear to be sin, then we are to flee from it. This is a “growing up” verse. As we mature in our walk with the Lord, we must be careful with our testimony. For instance, there may be nonalcoholic drinks in a liquor store, but I will not go into a liquor store. Why? Because people who see me will automatically assume I am going to buy alcoholic beverages. It is more important to me to protect my testimony than to exercise my liberty. I could give you multitudes of examples of things that could be misconstrued and mark your reputation, but it is essential that you learn to think and ask yourself if where you are going or what you are doing could in any way be viewed as wrong. If so, stay away from it. It is not just your testimony but the testimony of your church and your brothers and sisters in Christ that is at stake.
I Thessalonians “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
After giving the church at Thessalonica these truths to help them move forward and be the right influence for Christ, he then closes by praying for them. He asks God to sanctify them as a body of believers. We also should pray that everything about us is holy and acceptable unto God. This was Paul’s instructions in Romans 12:1 and Ephesians 5:10. We have all the tools to accomplish this if we learn and obey them. We are to help each other by praying for one another. We are to study the word He has given us. We are to be so in tune with God that we feel and hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit to obey His word. As a body of believers, we are to make a difference in this world. Move forward with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the only thing that can make an eternal difference in others.
I Thessalonians 5:23-28 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.”
