And we beseech you, brethren,
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 heir work's sake.
And b e at peace among
yourselves. Now we exhort you,
brethren, 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,
both among yourselves, and to all men.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is
the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not
prophecyings. Prove all things; hold
fast that which is good. Abstain from
all appearance of evil. And the very
God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body to preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Thessalonians 5:12-23
The ministers of God, those who are to be overseers of a congregation have a responsibility that is weighty, honorable, and useful. Paul reminds us that we ought to be looking at their work and that the man only. Some see their minister more as a celebrity than a worker for God. Ministers are to be laborers. This labor is such that they are working to instruct, to comfort, and to edify them. All this with agape love. Here is where the early Church, especially at the Reformation (1500's) where Church leaders conjoined with civil government and forced people to have one belief over another: i.e., Roman Catholicism over Protestantism. This led to some horrible things being done by both religious theologies. Christian ministers are not to exercise dominion over civil government. This does not mean that they are to sit by idly and do nothing, no, they have all right within their government laws to effect a possible change that would conform to Scripture but if not able to then still live according to Scripture and not be influenced by the culture that comes from a non-Scriptural government. Here in the United States we the people have the right to vote, to bring before the courts appeals to things we deem wrong. We have a right to support a candidate that best fits Scripture, that has a platform of being a servant, a protector of the Constitution, therefore, for citizens of the United States. We as Christians must not be apathetic and be involved or evil will reign and if not taking an active part then that person really does not have a right to complain.
Authentic Christians ministers are not looking to pad their pockets with money, to have large mansion type homes, or to drive very expensive cars, or have very expensive airplanes as though they were the epitome of Christianity. This is not to say they are to live in poverty, or not have fine things, but to say you love the poor, to say that you love those in your congregations where some are struggling to have money and then to spend lavishly on yourself is wrong. This sends a message to the congregation that God will give to you if you only give back to God, and that God wants you to also have what this ministers has in abundance. They use the God key to cause people to give more than they should. This is not what Paul is saying in any way for as a minister, an Authentic Christian you are to labor in your office with honor, with service to those in your congregation. Ministers have this duty that Paul is outlining here and is also outlined in other Scriptures. The world is watching, and making judgments based on such attitudes, and actions.
As an Authentic Christian you to have a duty to one another. Are there needy persons in your congregation? If so, then what are you personally doing about it? Love extends itself if it is pure agape love of God and does not look for its own interests. Even if there are differences among you and another in your congregation, this does not dismiss your duty towards them. Love, peace, among us does not allow us to induce some form of hatred or dislike to a person due to some difference that is not heretical. Don't cause a person to become disheartened due to your lack of duty.
Now we come to a very important verse: "Abstain from
all appearance of evil." Again, how we love those "love" verses, those verses that seem to give nothing but joy, and forget those verses that demand something from us. The Greek translated is: "from every form of wickedness abstain" (vs. 22). This Greek word is about external appearances, (Luke 3:22; 9:29, John 5:37). This word is applied to such as images, idols, and has a meaning of that which is bad. I will be blunt. Men: pull your pants up, we do not need to see you underwear, or more. Men: don't get tattoos to somehow make you feel more macho. Men: get a haircut. Men: go to Church dressed respectfully. Men: be men, have respect for yourselves and others and do not strive to live this world's culture. Now: Women, girls: Why do you have a need to show as much skin as you do? Why wear your underwear in public and call it "bathing suit?" Take a bra and paint some flowers on it, and call it a bathing top? HUH! And to have you underpants so low as to only barely cover your pubic bone. Why? First of all you must do some very private things which in some cases is not so private. You must have a bikini wax, or a Brazillian where others are shaving your private parts. Why? What is the purpose? Is this respectful? No! Is this what an Authentic Christian would do? No! You, both of you, are teasing others to want you, and that want is often sexual. You want to look sexy, or manly. Why not look as a respectful Christian and not have any appearance of evil? In verse 21 we are commanded to examine all things and hold fast to that which is good, or right.
We all have a duty to God and this duty is to deny ourselves and live for Him and this we should willingly do of we really love God. Not man, but God, Jesus Christ and are allowing ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit. This may go against the grain of your minds, but Jesus lived as a perfect man and willing gave up His human body for you. Can you do the same, can your reciprocate to Him? I hope so, I pray so, and while this is not easy, it can be done if you attempt to do it. Remember: we will, all of us, give an account before God for what we have said and done.
But the LORD said unto me,
Say not, I am a child:
for thou shalt go to all
I send thee, and whatsoever
I command thee thou shall speak.
Be not afraid of their faces:
for I am with thee to deliver thee,
saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 1:7-8
Live For God: Leave All For Him
Richard L. Crumb
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