
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:13c-14
1 Thessalonians 5:13c-14
Sat, 25 June 2022
The āPeace and Patienceā Frame
Observation:
What is the significance of Paul framing his exhortation with ābe at peaceā and ābe patientā?
Deeper Reflection
PAUL IS SPEAKING TO BELIEVERS IN HIS EXHORTATION, See that no one repays anyone evil for evilā (1 Thess 5:15). These words point to a hard reality and a great temptation in the Christian community. The hard reality is, Christians do hurt one another, intentionally or unintentionally, by words, acts or attitudes. The great temptation is when we are offended and badly hurt, we hold a grudge until we are able to pay back the one who hurt us. Thus, Paul is particularly emphatic: āSee thatā ā āMake sure that this does not happen!āWe prevent the negative by practising the positive: āalways seek to do good to one another and to everyoneā (1 Thess 5:15). The action called for in ādo goodā is āseekā. āSeekā speaks of conscious intentionality, proactiveness and effort. It takes a good heart to have this āseek to do goodā. It is a matter of the heart: āThe good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces goodā (Lk 6:45). And this seeking to do good is āalwaysā there in the good heart. Along with this is the readiness to forgive those who hurt us. The foundation and starting point of forgiveness is āas God in Christ forgave youā (Eph 4:32).āBe at peace among yourselvesā and ābe patient with them allā frame the constructive actions toward the āidleā, āweakā and āfaintheartedā, and those who hurt us (vv.13c-14). āWe have no excuse for becoming impatientā with such problematic people āon the grounds that they are difficult, demanding, disappointing, argumentative or rudeā62. āLove is patientā (1 Cor 13:4). And peace and patience go hand in hand.
PAUL IS SPEAKING TO BELIEVERS IN HIS EXHORTATION, See that no one repays anyone evil for evilā (1 Thess 5:15). These words point to a hard reality and a great temptation in the Christian community. The hard reality is, Christians do hurt one another, intentionally or unintentionally, by words, acts or attitudes. The great temptation is when we are offended and badly hurt, we hold a grudge until we are able to pay back the one who hurt us. Thus, Paul is particularly emphatic: āSee thatā ā āMake sure that this does not happen!āWe prevent the negative by practising the positive: āalways seek to do good to one another and to everyoneā (1 Thess 5:15). The action called for in ādo goodā is āseekā. āSeekā speaks of conscious intentionality, proactiveness and effort. It takes a good heart to have this āseek to do goodā. It is a matter of the heart: āThe good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces goodā (Lk 6:45). And this seeking to do good is āalwaysā there in the good heart. Along with this is the readiness to forgive those who hurt us. The foundation and starting point of forgiveness is āas God in Christ forgave youā (Eph 4:32).āBe at peace among yourselvesā and ābe patient with them allā frame the constructive actions toward the āidleā, āweakā and āfaintheartedā, and those who hurt us (vv.13c-14). āWe have no excuse for becoming impatientā with such problematic people āon the grounds that they are difficult, demanding, disappointing, argumentative or rudeā62. āLove is patientā (1 Cor 13:4). And peace and patience go hand in hand.
62 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 122
Application:
What does it mean for me to be at peace and be patient with people in the Christian community?
Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
- Give thanks and praise
- Pray for Church Board: To lead the church together in peace and with patience
- Pray for significant people
- Pray for those in need
- Pray for self