The Way To Live

ByJim Stephens

The Way To Live

Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3 13 …Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. 14 Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. 15 And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. (1 Thessalonians 5:13-15 MSG) I’m drawn like iron to a magnet by the practical steps of action Paul gives in his letters! This morning I noticed that a lot of 1 and 2 Thessalonians deals with how people should relate to and behave toward each other. This section actually starts with verse 11 and continues through verse 22. I focused on these verses because they kind of sum up much of what Paul tells the Christ-followers about their interactions. Here’s what Paul recommends:
• Get along with each other, every one do your part.
• Challenge lazy people to get busy doing something worthwhile.
• Be gentle with weary Christians, give them a hand up—don’t beat them down.
• Be patient and take time to address individual needs.
• In the inevitable “rubbing each other the wrong way,” be nice and don’t snap at each other.
• Look for the best in each other. Do your best to bring out the best in each other. This isn’t rocket science, friends! Don’t forget the simple truth that our call and commission is not just to accomplish great tasks and complete big projects. We are called and commanded to be kind, gentle, and caring with each other, never treating people like objects but as individuals—God’s dear children.

Prayer: Father, Please forgive me for the times I’ve rushed past someone on my way to do something “important” or rushed to judgment on someone’s attitude or behavior. I want to do my part to get along with the family, I want to be more patient and gentle, and I want to see the very best in and for others. How can I learn to be more attentive to individual needs? Please help me to do better with this today. Amen.

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