In The Apostle Paul’s final instruction to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalinoans5), he instructs them to do three things as the day of the Lord approaches. In the church you will find one or the more of these types of Christians just as Paul stated in the previously mentioned passage of scripture.
In verse 10, of 1Thessalonias 5, Paul says to the Thessalonians “10: Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11: So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”In the church we has those whom are lazy. They will not read or study their bibles, they expect all that they need to learn to come from teaching and preaching, they may even be the ones that always ask, “doesn’t it say somewhere in the bible that…?” They real have no idea what it says and they won’t search a passage of scripture to understand what it says. Paul says to warn those who are lazy. Every church has them and they will hinder the growth of the body of Christ, those who are lazy must be warned, but it seem the church rewards them and the lazy one are put into positions of authority, these are the sames one that are jealous and stand in the way of the new saints.
The timid saints are the second group of people Paul mentions. Timid means: lacking in courage or self-confidence. It seem that no one has patience for anyone timid in the church. If your timid, people will look at you with contempt, not take you serious and even ignore you. The strong saints that seem to boast of their strength in the Lord will eat the timid saints alive and feel no remorse. Paul urges the Thessalonians to encourage them.
We that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. Infirmities are defined as: 1. A bodily ailment or weakness, especially one brought on by old age. 2. Frailty; feebleness. 3. A condition or disease producing weakness. 4. A failing or defect in a person’s character.
Weak is defined as: 1. Lacking physical strength, energy, or vigor; feeble.2. Likely to fail under pressure, stress, or strain; lacking resistance: a weak link in a chain. 3. Lacking firmness of character or strength of will. 4. Lacking the proper strength or amount of ingredients: weak coffee. 5. Lacking the ability to function normally or fully: a weak heart. 6. Lacking aptitude or skill: a weak student; weak in math. 7. Lacking or resulting from a lack of intelligence.8. Lacking persuasiveness; unconvincing: a weak argument. 9. Lacking authority or the power to govern. 10. Lacking potency or intensity: weak sunlight.
The instruction that Paul give towards the weak is that we need to “Take tender care of them” Christians have an awesome responsibility towards each other. With so many ministries going on in the church and everyone worried about their titles and positions, no wonder the body of Christ is in trouble. Many churches, ignore, look over, ridicule and preach on the weak. We seem to have more compassion on the common criminal in leading him/her to Christ (and then stick our chest out as if we saved them) than taking our time to take are of those whom might be feeble in body and in spirit.
Finally, in verse 14, Paul says “Be patient with everyone”. Patience, wow! Who has time for patience in this day and time. With so much to do in this microwave society, we seem to not have the time for patience. Patience is another attribute of love (1 Corinthians 13:4). Hmm.. would I be accurate in saying “If I lack patience, I’m lacking in love?” In this day and time we need to be patient with one another, especially the lazy (we’ve allowed them to be that way), the timid (we pushed them around enough) and the weak (we ignored and pushed them in obscurity)
We can go to church and hear the feel good, make me happy, I got to get my praise on messages and we are no better off when the pastor gives the closing prayer. We wonder why, there is no church growth.
Be patient with everyone, Ware the lazy, encourage the timid and take care of the weak.
Going Against The Grain
1 Thessalonians 5:12-23
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