A Great Reminder

Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15: ¹²Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Reflection: Here’s a whole list of practical ways to live as part of the Christian community. I find lists like this to be very helpful. This one highlights attitudes more than behavior. It points to the idea of letting Christ change me from the inside out.

As I read through these verses and note each virtue on the list, different people pop into mind. I think of a number of individuals I could warn, help or exercise patience with. And I think of people who have done those things for me.

I have to be careful that I don’t turn this list of attitudes into another set of laws to obey in order to assure my salvation. It’s not a checklist I can put up on the wall and start crossing things off once I’ve done them. It’s simply a reminder. As a follower of Christ, how does my life reflect the attitudes and behaviors listed here? How does my commitment to Christ come into play with real people I encounter every day?

An Invitation: A small group will be meeting this coming Sunday morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.