1 Thessalonians

Christian Guidelines

Note: This covers Tuesday and Wednesday's readings.

The first epistle to the Thessalonians is written by Paul such that each chapter provides guidelines for the various aspects of the Christian life.  Chapter one discuss how the church body is to behave. They have a "work of faith," "a labor of love," and a "patience of hope" (1:3) waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus.  The church rests in the election of God and demonstrates the power of the Holy Spirit.  In chapter two, Paul uses himself as an example of the Christian servant and minister.  He bears the sufferings of Christ gladly and behaves holy and unblamable before the church body (2:10).

Chapter three continues with a description of the Christian brother and believer.  Paul uses Timothy as an example. Chapter four explains the Christian walk and ends with a description of the resurrection and catching away in the end-time.  He provides a step-by-step description of how the Lord will descend with a shout, a voice, and the trumpet of God, to raise the dead in Christ and gather them with the living saints to be taken to meet the Lord in the air!

Paul closes First Thessalonians by continuing his discussion of the Christian walk. He ends the chapter with a beautiful exhortation: Rejoice evermore; pray without ceasing; give thanks for everything; do not hinder the Spirit; do not despise prophesying; prove all things; hold tightly to every good thing; and abstain from even the appearance of evil.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.