1st Thessalonians, part 3, Do's and Don't's

Now let’s look at 1st Thessalonians 5: 14 – 28:

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Paul packs a lot into his final instructions.

Sometimes it helps to just list things out for ourselves. What we have here are some do’s and a couple of don’t’s:

1.         Warn people who are idle or disruptive.

2.         Encourage those who need it.

3.         Help the weak.

4.         Be patient with everyone.

5.         Remember the Golden Rule 

            ( yes, that’s what verse 15 is saying.)

6.         Rejoice always.

7.         Pray continually.

8.         Always give thanks

9.         Don’t ignore the Holy Spirit’s proddings. 

            (Listen to that still, soft voice in your conscience.)

10.       Do not treat prophecies with contempt.

11.        Test the prophecies.

12.       Reject evil.