TUESDAY
Our phrase for this week is, “May God strengthen you.”
Today we are going to read a couple of the New Testament imperatives that call us to encourage one another. In these passages the New Testament authors are not only telling the churches to encourage one another but they are giving them examples of how to encourage one another at the same time. So let’s listen for how we can encourage one another.
Before we read the passage however, allow me to make a few clarifying comments. The day of the Lord refers to the second coming of Jesus, which we are still awaiting. This day will come unexpectedly. This is terrifying for those who are living in darkness (unrighteousness and lies). But for those who are in the light (in Christ), not sleeping (spiritually alert in v. 6-7), this unexpected return of Jesus will be the revelation of our full salvation and bring about the fullness of God’s presence with us whether we are still alive or have died (asleep in v. 10). This is a great encouragement to those who are wondering about the final judgment.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Next, I want to briefly reference this text in Acts. After being stoned and surviving, no small feat in and of itself, Paul travels to churches in other cities to strengthen and encourage the disciple’s souls.
Acts 14:19–23 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Notice Paul’s encouragement to them. It isn’t, this will all go away soon. Instead, it is an encouragement to continue in the faith because through many tribulations we enter the kingdom of God. He likely didn’t hear from God whether or not these tribulations would end soon. So he endeavored to help strengthen their faith through them. He called them to a resilient faith that perseveres through tribulation, suffering and persecution because it is through this path that we experience the kingdom of God. The Christian life, the abundant life of Jesus, is not always an easy path. We need strengthening, encouragement to walk through it together.
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Reflection
Think of someone you can encourage in their Christian life today. Maybe shoot them a text, give them a call, or maybe reach out to have coffee or lunch together and seek to strengthen their faith.