1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Observation-What does it say?

Paul is encouraging the church on how to live as a healthy Body of Christ. Paul states the reason Christ died for us, which is so that we could live TOGETHER with Him. We were not meant to live as an island and go through this journey of faith alone. We were meant to live TOGETHER in and with Christ. 

Understanding- What does it mean?

There is no such thing as a solitary Christian.

 

No Christian was meant to exist alone. Adam had perfect fellowship with the Father before Eve came along, but God still said it was not good for man to be alone. I don't think God was only implying that to relate to marriage. 

Christ died so that we would love Him, yes, but He also died so that we would love each other in regular fellowship and meeting together. He gave several instructions on what we were to do when we met together:

1. Encourage one another and build each other up.
2. Acknowledge those who work hard for us, care for us and admonish us in the Lord (aka our Pastors/Ministry Leaders).
3. Live in peace with each other.
4. Warn the idle and disruptive. 
5. Encourage the disheartened and help the weak. 
6. Be patient with everyone and don’t pay back wrong for wrong, but always do good to each other.
7. Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances together.

Life Application

Choose 2 things from the above list to put into practice this week towards our brothers and sisters at DSC. 

During this July month of rest, even though we are scaling back from mission and ministry, let us not pull back from the family of God. Instead, let’s take the opportunity to draw closer to each other. I think it’s interesting that Paul’s exhortation to the church was focused on how to relate to and treat one another, beyond just ministering alongside each other. 

Dear Lord, thank you for our family at DSC. I pray that we would seek to operate as a healthy body of Christ and may it begin with me. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi