We are in the final instructions of IThessalonians. Paul begins with instructions to respect and hold in highest regard those who have been charged by God to minister His word and His work among believers. They have accepted an awesome charge from the Lord to build up the Body of Christ.
As believers we are to do other things as well. “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.” [I Thessalonians 5:14-15 NLT]
Warn the lazy. Some translations render this as “admonish the unruly.” The meaning is to warn those people who are unruly, disorderly, lazy, idle, those who will not be productive members of a body of believers, but who still demand to be maintained. Earlier Paul said to make it their ambition to lead a quiet life, minding their own business and working with their own hands. This warning is to those who do not follow that advice. [4:11-12]
Encourage the timid. Take tender care of the weak. Encourage and lift those who are ready to sink without hope, who are afraid, who are beat down by the demands and circumstances of life. I remember my former pastor saying that it is far easier to knock down the proud than it is to lift up those without hope; how difficult it is for many people to believe that God isn’t mad at them, but that He loves them.
Be patient with everyone. Oh no, surely Paul can’t mean be patient with everyone. Yes, everyone. Everyone needs patient endurance from others. We all have our trials, troubles, decisions, and problems. We need to be patient while God works in each life. Then Paul adds, “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”
Do Good. Friends, we live in an unkind world. Life is neither gentle nor kind most of the time. We need to exhibit kindness and patience with all people, believers and non-believers; remembering after all, how kind and how patient God is with each of us.