Verse of the Day - 1 Thessalonians 5:24

God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NLT, 1st Edition)

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This verse follows Paul's finals words at the end of his first letter to the church at Thessalonica. He closes with a rather rapid-fire list of practical Christian living applications...

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19 (NLT, 2nd Edition)

If I was sitting in the Thessalonian church while this letter was being read, about this time, I'd be thinking, Gee, Paul, do you want me to walk on water, too? How do you expect me to do all of these righteous things? You know my past -- you led me to the Lord out of a hard life. I'm still trying to let go of my guilt, let alone "be patient with everyone". "Always be joyful?" C'mon, Paul, get real! I'm only human, you know...

Maybe Paul could see the faces of the believers in this church. Maybe he knew what was going on in the minds of those called out of darkness in this city, because he doesn't leave them hanging with just a lot of do's and don'ts. He gives them hope...

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful. ~1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24

So many people fail to understand the Christian life. They think they could never be a goodie-goodie....too hard to do! And they're right! Apart from God, we can do no good. But with the power of the Lord within us, we are able to be different, to be changed. Deeply, from the inside. Deep enough to tackle the thoughts and attitudes that spring from whatever's inside a person's heart. All the do's and don'ts are simply a reminder, or yardstick, of what a godly heart looks like.

God is faithful. If He gave you faith to believe in His Son, Jesus, He will transform you into Christ's image for His glory. It doesn't happen overnight, but if you desire righteousness and allow Him free reign in your heart and mind, you will see the change. No, you can't do these godly things on your own, so don't try. Seek the Lord and watch Him make the change. And then watch out, because people will notice that you are different, and they may ask why. Will you be ready to tell them where your hope and light come from? (psst...don't worry, the Lord will give you the strength for that, too! :-)

Love,
Joelene