Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 5:4-15
In this study we are going to look at how we are to live life together as believers in Christ. We will look at the lives of those who are no longer with us and those that remain here on earth. We will be looking at the fact we all have experienced the same grace and the same eternal promise in the Lord Jesus Christ. We will also look at what makes us Christians so uniquely different from the rest of the world.
Paul is writing to the Christians in Thessalonica. He had established this church on his second missionary journey. It was a bitter sweet beginning. The gospel message was well received there, but there had arisen some strong opposition as well. The tensions became so violent that they had to eventually sneak Paul out of the city to keep him from being killed.
Paul desperately wanted to return, but circumstances prevented it. So, Paul felt the need to send Timothy back to see how the church was doing. Paul wanted to make sure no false teachers had infiltrated their number.
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Timothy returns with a good report and with some questions that had arisen about the second coming. Primarily, they were wondering if those who had died would participate in the second coming or only those who are still alive. Paul assures them that those who have died in Christ will very much participate in His return. He comforts them in the fact we will all be reunited with them when that time comes and to encourage each other with that hope.
Paul begins chapter 5 by reiterating what he had already told them. And, since we don’t know when that is going to occur, we should be focused more on the now than what will be. Particularly in how we relate to one another.
In I Thessalonians 5:4-8, He draws a comparison between believers and unbelievers. He reminds them they are children of the light and as such should not be caught off guard like those who don’t believe. Unbelievers live in darkness. They fear what they cannot see. But we can see. We know what’s going to happen because Christ has shown it to us. Because we live in the light, we should live in full confidence of our salvation through faith and love each other in the unity of our mutual faith.
In verses 9-11, he continues this thought by affirming the validity of our salvation in Christ. We all share the same promise from Christ. We are no longer under the wrath of God and whether we are dead or alive, we will live together with Him for eternity. He then encourages them to continue to build each other up with this confidence as they had been doing.
In verses 12-15, we see there may have been some disagreement among them causing some tension. Apparently, some were having some problems with the leadership. They did not agree with certain issues or the way things were being done. And from verse 14, it seems to be an issue with how certain people were being treated. Paul exhorts them to seek peace through unity.
Think of what is best for all and not just themselves. Great advice for all of us. B&R
