1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 –  ^“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.  ¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.  ¹⁶ Always rejoice, ¹⁷ constantly pray, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks.  For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  ¹⁹ Do not extinguish the Spirit.  ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt.  ²¹ But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.  ²² Stay away from every form of evil.”

Deuteronomy 16 and beyond reveal that we should keep in the forefront of our minds that God does not acknowledge blemished sacrifices.   We never come before Him empty-handed.  Not that we attempt to bribe or earn anything, but that when we come before Him, we give our best to Him: our best prayer, best song, best attitude.  We give Him ourselves.

That attitude and lifestyle are then manifested in Paul’s teaching in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22.  I call that Lifestyle Christianity.  Verse 14 is powerful, misunderstood, and neglected today.   Paul urged them to do these 4 things.  The urging is strong, indicating it is so essential that it is a matter of life and death.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 – “Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

• Admonish (noutheteo) – direct face-to-face confrontation and exhortation to change.   

The word ‘uruly’ includes idleness and laziness.   It indicates the adaptation of ungodly lifestyles.  We are urged to show the biblical and practical principles of responsibility and godliness. 

• Encourage (paramutheo) – display of emotional empathy for those who are losing hope.  

It even includes the feeble-minded.   Those who are in no condition to press on.  Discouraged and deceived.  Lift them up by word and deed in a demonstrated life.  Show them the biblical life!

• Help (antcheo) – lift up.  This could be physical, emotional, or spiritual.  

It is to be a helping hand and meet the revealed need that is in your power to fulfill.

• Patience with everyone demonstrates Christlikeness.

Simply, we do not ignore, justify, or reward idleness, laziness, or corruption.  We face to face it with the truth in love. We demonstrate perseverance to encourage and lend a hand in lifting up the fallen and needy, in a Christlike manner, with a spirit of patience, remembering our own forgiveness.

How is that given power?   Note verses 16-22.    

• We are to rejoice always, perpetually, and faithfully pray.  
• We are to have a continuous attitude of gratitude.   
• We are to be open and yielded to the guidance and correction of the Holy Spirit.  
• We are to expect God to speak and examine our hearts and motives.  
• We are to reject evil and even the appearance of evil.  
• We must not let the flesh have any place to operate.  
• We are to give God our best!

If our first look is upward (to God) and our second outward (to others), then we can look inward with peace and honesty and receive God’s sanctification, provision, and preservation.   Lifestyle Christianity is our call, and it has great rewards.

May the LORD enable us to begin living the Life of Jesus here on Earth!