Admonition

Do we… warn the unruly? Or do we laugh at them and make excuses for their behavior? Do we call the unruly acceptable, ignoring them because their behavior is commonplace? Do we get a bit frightened around the unruly, afraid to warn them for fear of their retaliation? Do we simple believe it is not our place to warn anyone? Maybe we think that warning the unruly is for another day and age, another time and place, not here in our world in 2017.

Do we…comfort the feebleminded?

Do we…support the weak?

Are we… patient with all? Truly, are we patient with all?  What sort of patience do we possess? Do we have internal patience? Seriously, often we may appear patient but are we seething inwardly? Maybe we imagine we score points (so to speak) when we hide our impatience from others.  God sees all of us. God knows our heart. God knows our every thought. We need even our hidden faults to be given over to God. Do we have patience towards all in all ways?"

Do we tend to render evil for evil? If someone does us wrong we wrong them in kind? How simple and easy it is for us to respond to wrong doing by lashing out, by hurting those who hurt us. We call it a natural reaction, we call it being human, we call it normal and to be expected. We excuse such behavior in ourselves and in others, we do it because it is our natural tendency to behave in a way contrary to God ways.  Would we have to be reminded to behave in certain ways if those ways were natural to us? If we automatically were patient we wouldn't have to be told to be patient. But we are given admonitions because we aren't naturally inclined to do what we should.

Let us heed the warnings given to us and by the grace of God seek to obey the instructions we are given. When we fail to behave as we should, we need to seek forgiveness and also seek to listen in the future.

By GOD'S grace may we do all He instructs us to do, and not excuse the things we don't do by believing they no longer matter to God. Who are we to discount the word of God?  Jesus would have us follow Him and His way, Jesus made known to mankind the heart of God. Let us live for our Savior! 

Help us Lord, help us! 

1Th 5:12  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 

1Th 5:13  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 

1Th 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 

1Th 5:15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

1Th 5:16  Rejoice evermore. 

1Th 5:17  Pray without ceasing. 

1Th 5:18  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

1Th 5:19  Quench not the Spirit. 

1Th 5:20  Despise not prophesyings. 

1Th 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 

1Th 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

1Th 5:23  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. 

1Th 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 

1Th 5:25  Brethren, pray for us. 

1Th 5:26  Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 

1Th 5:27  I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 

1Th 5:28  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.