- 4:1
- In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
- 4:2
- Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.
How? With patience and careful instruction. That means involvement in their lives and knowledge of the Scriptures. It is easy to discourage discouraged people, it takes patience, thoughtful listening, knowledge of Truth to encourage the discouraged. Shouldn't we be looking for things in the lives of others that we can use to encourage them. Shouldn't we be offering some positive words to encourage them? Why is it that it's so easy to be critical, we don't mind sharing those things, and so difficult to be an encouragement?
So I'm taking this as a personal challenge to be an encourager. We live in a tough world, where life seems to be more and more difficult and challenging. As committed followers of Christ who are seeking His truth, let's encourage one another, He's returning soon.
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4:1 "...in view of His appearing and His kingdom,...
1Thessalonians, end of chapter:
"They tell how you turned to GOD from idols to serve the living and true GOD, and to wait for His SON from heaven whom He raised from the dead--JESUS, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
Everything we do should be in view of His triumphant return... the removal of every idol, those internal and external (meaning many are not visible to the naked eye and often those are the fiercest to battle, and some are just painfully-nakedly obvious), in order to love and serve our GOD... and this view of Author and Perfecter of faith strengthens us to afford these acts of repentance (as if we could afford to maintain the self and sin and the world and wiles and whims!! no-never!!)... which rescues and covers us from judgment = eternal damnation = "the coming wrath."
4:2 "Encourage--with great patience and careful instruction."
1 Thessalonians 2, beginning verse 6:
"...we were gentle [gentle = epios = mild, soothing] among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much [KJV = affectionately desirous of you = emotionally involved :)] that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel but our lives as well, because you had become so dear [dear = agapetos = beloved] to us... we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting, [KJV = exhorting and comforting] [Greek= parakaleo= call to one's side, involves every apsect of living, to which is meant to produce a particular effect, involves admonishment, exhortation, cheering, helping] [Goal oriented, purposed] and urging you to live lives worthy of GOD..."
I LOVE THAT "PARAKALEO" CONCEPT!
and how great this need for gentleness... maternal instinct, delight, a sharing of lives provoked by dearness (preciousness), encouragements, comfortings, urgings toward daily living worthy of GOD.
In KJV, the verses 11 & 12 are somewhat combined and state: "exhorted and comforted"
and the reason having been stated in verse 8, "affectionately desirous of you..."
and "Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head..."
the truth always involves the contrast, "exhort--comfort." There must be a balance. Too much exhortation = too much pain, heartache. Too much comfort = no growth, immaturity, and lack of spiritual gain.
And certainly, it is a sad state of affairs in the Church when the children of the living GOD of Love and Light need to go to Starbucks to have someone smile at them and say something nice.
for sure, "flattery."
for sure, and "a mask to cover up greed."
SO LET THE [PARAKALEO] CHURCH ARISE with healing in her wings and promote love and good deeds with WISE words,
"but only what is helpful for building others up (ENCOURAGEMENT) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. AND DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD."
I have always stopped and noted in my mind that progression. "Do not let any unwholesome talk...guild others up... benefit those who listen... Do not grieve the HOLY SPIRIT." That progression is vital and purposed.
-to tear down sin is needed. it promotes wholeness by removing that which is a stench to the HOLY ONE enthroned in heaven. without the removal of sin, the walls of justice cannot be built. but every kind and accurately aimed acknowledgement of bonafide spiritual life is a brick of monumental weight. a brick to defile the enemy's fight to return to us and reclaim us. NO-NO-NO!!!
remove the stupid stones.
but
REBUILD, REBUILD, REBUILD the ancient ruins.
RESTORE, RESTORE, RESTORE the holy temple.
"In Him the whole building (the Body of CHRIST) is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the LORD, and in Him you too are being built together (each and every individual within the Body) to become a dwelling in which GOD lives by His SPIRIT."
Thank you for cement, Thank you for mortar,
h.
I have used this verse as one of my "ministry" verses to remind me of what I am to be striving to do with all those God brings into my life. It goes along with 1 Thessalonians 5:14 "and we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak and be patient with everyone." Thanks for sharing with us, Charlene!
Dena M.
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