Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
As Christians, we are to comfort and edify one another. “Edify” even means to “embolden” and be a “house builder.”
Build whose House?
God’s House.
We are not talking about a literal house, we are talking about building brothers and sisters in Christ. We are talking about converting non-believers, so they can come into God’s House as well.
Provoke Love And Good Works
I want to tie in that word “embolden” here.
To “embolden” one in Christ truly ties into Hebrews 10:24 where we are told to “provoke unto love and to good works.”
Hey, most of us have provoked someone into an argument, maybe even a fight.
It just seems “normal,” that is, when we allow our flesh to take over.
Yet, how many of us have “provoked” a Christian brother or family member to do some good work?
Imagine how much better our relationships would be, if we all provoked each other to do good righteous works…
We can be successful in that when we allow our spirit to rule our decisions.
Know Them Which Labour Among You
Today’s verse really sets the stage for verses 12-28, make sure you give them a read.
In fact, we are going to cover some of them.
Verse 12-13 tells us,
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“…To know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake…”
This means to remember your Pastors, who also remember and think of you. This goes hand in hand with brotherly kindness. It goes hand in hand with ‘comforting ourselves together’ which builds a better Christian family.
Warn Them That Are Unruly
Verse 14-15 tells us,
“…Warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men… See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good…”
At times, some within the Christian family will become unruly and need correction. Ensure you do that, but respectfully. This should never be overlooked, it’s critical to be a “house builder” for God.
Proverbs 18:19 helps us grasp just how important this is…
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Try not to offend, and always be careful in correction, but ensure you stay the course with Christ. Failing to do so can derail an entire church.
In Thessalonians we are also reminded to “comfort the feebleminded, support the weak” and just be patient. If you have been blessed with certain abilities, then remember that, and come down to the level of the individual you are working with.
Use this in Church and use it in your daily life. It reaps great rewards.
This all goes hand in hand with taking the high road.
If a Christian brother or sister offends you, never return “evil for evil.” Take that high road as hard as it may be. Ensure they are corrected properly, and respectfully, but never when you are already upset. Instead, pray for “patience toward all men” and make God proud.
That’s how we win um.
That’s how we help to expand His Kingdom.
Seven Verses Of Wisdom
The next seven verses read just like bullet points, let’s read them, (1 Th 5:16-22).
- Rejoice evermore.
- Pray without ceasing.
- In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
- Quench not the Spirit.
- Despise not prophesyings.
- Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
- Abstain from all appearance of evil.
My friends, if we can accomplish these seven things today, we are well on the way to reshaping our spiritual self and making lasting impressions on those around us!