1 Thessalonians 5:14 -15
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Reading through today’s verses, all I could see from the list are pointers to right living. The Bible says, “And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone”  (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word “urge” as a verb which means to present, advocate, or demand earnestly or pressingly. It means the issue at hand demands earnest attention. Today’s  passage urges us to warn those who do the following.

1. Warn the idle and disruptive members because their behavior does not reveal the life of Christ.
2. Encourage the disheartened. This is right because iron sharpens iron. See Proverbs 27:17.
3. Help and strengthen the weak. See Gal.6:2.
4. Be patient with everyone because patience is a virtue and it is one of the fruit of the spirit. See Galatians 5:22       -23.
5. Pay no one back for the wrong they did. We are peacemakers and have been called to do good.

Look into your life and see how you are doing with regard to the above. Do we need help in obeying any of them?  Let us pray.

Your Turn

• Take time to review the above lists and ask the Lord for help in any area that you are lacking.

Song: Lord, I give You my heart.

Further Reading:  1 Peter 2:12.