Articles
Instructions from an Apostle!
Paul appears to be the writer of the book of 1 Thessalonians and the book is written to the
church in Thessalonica. At the end of the letter Paul gives the church a short list of instructions
that he requests and urges them to follow. Each will help build the church up and see that the
work is done as Jesus would want. These instructions should be strong lessons for us as well,
what worked then will work for us today.
Paul first requests that the church show proper respect “to those over you in the Lord”. It
is my belief that he is talking about the relationship between the members and elders of the
congregation. “But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor
among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem
them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thess. 5:12, 13). The elders of the church
face a hard task with many difficult choices. They have a great responsibility and burden to see
to the spiritual safety and growth of the members. We need to respect the office and those
working so hard to help us.
In order to make the job of the elders easier and help the church grow, Paul gives the
members a simple but important instruction. “Live in peace with one another” (1 Thessalonians
5:13). How often do feelings get hurt and factions develop causing division in the church?
Living at peace may not always be easy but it is something we are to do in order to be pleasing to
God.
I often think of the church as a hospital or a big help group. Paul points out some of our
responsibilities, our need to meet together, and to know each other. “We urge you, brethren,
admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1
Thess. 5:14). While here, we are to help each other in our journey to heaven. Hopefully, we will
see the times we can help others, but we also need to realize that there will be times when we are
weak, and need the help of others. ~B Tolbert
