We close our time in 1 Thessalonians with the blessing Paul gives at the end of the letter. When all is said and done, God requires not just that we are good, but that we are holy. The final blessing connects the themes of Hope and Holiness, but it’s much more than a wish. The blessing is a promise that God himself will complete the progression he began in us. God is our only hope when it comes to holiness, and God Will Finish It.
God still speaks to us today, but how do we know what God is saying? Where is the line between being cynical about receiving direct guidance from God and being gullible in believing everything we hear or feel? The final instructions Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians address that tension and guide us in Tuning in to God’s Heart. May our ears be open, our minds be discerning, and our hearts be determined to follow God’s leading.
Paul gives three short but beautiful commands to the Thessalonian Christians: rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Those don’t simply provide a happier or better life; they are God’s will for us. The instructions are fairly easy to understand, but how can we do them? They come from a life turned towards God in all things, and doing them shapes us in that direction. As we follow Paul’s lead, may our lives overflow with joy, thanksgiving, and fellowship with God.
The Church is more than a voluntary organization or a social club. We are not merely individuals who decide to gather for personal benefit. The Church is the body of Christ and the family of God, and God has designed us to be Moving Forward Together. Paul encourages us to respect and honor in love those who lead us forward. At the same time we must encourage and help those who need it most, being patient with and good to all. We are in this together, all connected to Christ.
Last week, Pastor Matt encouraged us from I Thessalonians 4, where we read that those who have been called have everything to look forward to: whether we have died or are still here when the Lord returns, we can rest assured that our eternity is certain with our Lord Jesus. On Sunday, we will tackle chapter 5, where Paul more specifically addresses Jesus’ second coming. Unlike those in the world, we won’t be caught off guard when Jesus returns because we are living in His light. While we don’t know when the Lord will return, and may even be discouraged at times, we can be encouraged and thereby encourage one another that He will do as He says. We know our Lord is true to His word. He will return! What a great day that will be.