Articles
The Mutual Responsibilities of All Christians
Our elders have elected the theme: “Becoming One with One Another” for 2014. This theme will serve as the basis for many of the sermons, articles, and reference points in our classes. The hope is that we will all learn to take time to prosper from close-knit relationships among other Christians whom we worship with. In the spirit of this theme, Paul encouraged the Christians at Thessalonica in several aspects of their service to one another and to God. Three of these serve wisely for consideration.
1. Be At Peace! (1 Thessalonians 5:13)
Jesus gave this instruction (Mark 9:50c) and Paul teaches other Christians similarly (2Cor. 13:11). God’s desire is for scriptural peace in the church between brethren and Himself (Luke 2:14; Gal. 5:22; Rom. 12:18). He has given the conditions on which we may have that peace, obedience to the truth in all purity (Psalm 119:165; Isa. 48:18; Rom. 14:17; James 3:17). If we cannot maintain peace, we must seek God’s forgiveness and help.
2. Exhort One Another! (1 Thessalonians 5:14)
a. Admonish the Disorderly – The Thessalonians were rebuked numerous times as to how they should treat the idle. We must also be willing and able to address the slothful in our midst.
b. Encourage the Fainthearted, Support the Weak – Walking in the path of Christ is dissonant with the world. At times, this difference causes discouragement. We all face these lulls and need a boost!
c. Be Longsuffering with All – The world tells us to return error with portentousness. Christ teaches us through His pattern about the blessedness of makrothumia (longsuffering). His mercy abounds toward us so ours should abound toward our brethren!
3. Don’t Do Evil; Do Good! (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
Evil can slip into our lives and fully ensnare us before we recognize its presence. As Christians, we battle constantly against the spiritual forces of wickedness vying for the top spot in our lives. The battle is fortuitous; Christians fall every day at our sides. One of the more difficult areas in which this becomes evident is when friction between brothers and sisters in Christ leads to the desire for retaliation. Christ condemned such behavior and Christians are expected to allow vengeance to be the Lord’s. The Christian must allow forbearance, love, and patience to rule his life (1Pet. 2:21-23) and return evil with good (Matt. 5:46f; Rom. 12:9, 21).
