Today’s readings: 1 Thessalonians 4-5, Psalm 131
1 Thessalonians 5:16-25
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Elaine (not her real name) was a young woman from St. John who went to college and, rather than growing farther from God, grew in her faith and faithfulness. She became so convinced of the need to share the Good News of Jesus that she and some friends moved into an apartment complex known to house people struggling with drug addiction and prostitution. They moved there specifically to share the Gospel with these people. Elaine would go from door to door asking whoever answered if she could pray for them.
One day a woman answered the door with anxiety and fear written all over her face. Elaine noticed and asked if she could pray for her. The woman shook her head and said, “No. Maybe some other time.” Elaine took her at her word and returned later. This time she was invited into the woman’s apartment – and into her life. She learned that the woman was in an abusive relationship and faced other serious struggles. Elaine prayed for her and began teaching her the commands of Jesus.
This seemed to me a different way to share the GOOD NEWS – which is about what Jesus has done for us, not how we are to live. But God’s commands have their place, too. They show us our need for a Savior and teach us how to live as his people. God used Elaine’s willingness to listen, pray, and teach to open the way for this woman to hear the GOOD NEWS of Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and salvation. She came to faith and was soon baptized.
That would be enough of a celebration in itself. But this woman also invited her friends to her baptism! Imagine the crowd of people who were part of that day! They were exactly the kinds of people Jesus came to seek and save.
Those of us who are saved still need to hear the commands of Jesus. That’s how Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians. He gives instructions about sexual purity, respect for those who serve as spiritual leaders, peace among brothers and sisters in Christ, encouragement for the fainthearted, and brotherly love.
Whether we go door to door asking people if we can pray for them, or simply go about our day with eyes open to those who need an encouraging word, we can all reflect the love of Jesus and follow his commands.
What a beautiful adornment that is to our faith in Jesus – reflecting to others the love he has first shown to us!
Follow the Word is a daily Bible reading and devotional ministry of St. John Lutheran Church, Cypress, Texas.
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