Today's Scripture
Simply Doing Good 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15
12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you; 13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them. 15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
RJ's Devotion
WHAT DOES THE PASSAGE say?
V. 12-13 Our attitude toward people, who are in charge of us.
V. 14-15 How we should treat others, especially the ones who are struggling.
The Message version says, ”
12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
13-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.”
What Does the passage Mean to Me/US?
The preceding verse ends by saying, “Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind” (v. 12 The Message). Paul tells us how we need to bring hope into this world because Christ is with us. Living to share the hope of the King, who entered in our lives, is the true meaning of Christmas. We prepare our hearts to receive the King, and as people who received the King, we share the hope that our King shines in our lives. We become that person in the middle, who builds up both sides; hard and idle workers. Why? Because we work and live for a different goal.
Prayer
Lord, help us to bring the hope of Jesus to all we meet. Help us to appreciate the people we work with, and help us to shine the hope for the people, who might not have heard about your grace. Continue to live in us. In Christ Name, we pray, AMEN
Click to subscribe to our Daily Devotion.
You will receive a devotion in your inbox every morning.