“So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6-22 NLT
As Paul summarizes his thoughts to Thessalonica, he creates an extensive treatise for all Christians to follow in their orthopraxy. Under the idea that Christ’s return is both imminent and unknowable and for the living and the dead, he breathes life into the ethic of daily Christian living. All of it rests under the banner of giving the appropriate thanks and joy and stems from there. If this is our mindset, then we will not fear. We will treat others with a godly respect. We will treat our leaders with a godly reverence. We will live fulfilling lives. Our sense of peace will be assured and just as imminent as Christs return. It is important to see that these things are not separate goals to attain from one’s faith but rather that they are part of a spiritual ecosystem that is a carefully balanced equilibrium in the life of a believer. Developing each aspect touched upon in this closing doxology will grow us into complete people for God and accurate reflections of his image.
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