one step: 1 Thessalonians 5.11

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:28

Paul began his letter to the Church in Thessalonica with these words (1 Thessalonians 1:1):

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace.

Paul’s last words in this letter to the Thessalonians echo his first. Why?

First, we must understand that Paul repeated himself in his closing to provide emphasis.* Paul sought to emphasize the grace of Jesus as demonstrated in the peace that He has for the church (which it so desperately needs.)* Paul wanted a divided, persecuted church to receive the unmerited peace of Jesus in their lives and in their community.

Furthermore, Paul wanted them to remember this: the peace Jesus has is by grace. Why is this important for Paul to say? Letters written circa Paul often closed with sentiments or well wishes of “be strong,” or ”prosper.”* These greetings elicit action. They command a response from the reader. It’s much like telling someone to “dig deep and try harder.” This is not the way to peace.

God has peace for all of us through Jesus Christ, no matter our circumstances. And we cannot earn it or fabricate it with our own strength and will. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Paul needed to tell the Thessalonians, and God knew that we need to hear this truth too.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to begin and end your day with a reflection on the reality of His peace-giving gift of Jesus Christ. Perhaps today God wants you to release your striving and receive His peace. Maybe today God wants you to know that He is with you.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (p. 202). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (p. 236). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 272–273). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, p. 498). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, p. 111). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 177–178). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 430–432). Baker Academic.

one step: 1 Thessalonians 5.10

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

In the ancient world, kisses had various meanings. In both Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures, a kiss was a sign of affection between family and friends and honor towards superiors.* Within the Christian community, kisses communicated something more than friendship and respect.* The “holy kisses” to which Paul refers communicated that a) the church was family, b) that unity existed in the church, and c) that reconciliation and peace were present within the church.*

The sense of unity and family in the body of Christ was important, especially for the Thessalonians. As mentioned, the Church in Thessalonica consisted of slaves, former slaves, and free.* It consisted of Greeks, Romans, Macedonians, and Jews.* The diversity was rich, and so were the customs, cultures, and opinions.

Furthermore, the holy kiss wasn’t just a sign of unity and family, but it was intended as a mechanism to remind and return the community to unity and familial relationship.* It symbolized reconciliation and peace in a way that made the betraying kiss of Judas that much more shocking.*

Jeffery Weima, quoting Ben Witherington, shares,

Paul’s command to greet others “with a holy kiss,” therefore, expresses more than an exhortation simply to greet each other. It serves, rather, as a challenge to his readers to remove any hostility that may exist among them and to exhibit the oneness that they share as fellow members of the body of Christ. It is analogous to our contemporary challenge that a married couple or close friends who are at odds with each other ought to “kiss and make up”

When was the last time you viewed the body of Christ as family? Have you experienced a legitimate wrong that has forced you into a position to need to forgive? Has an experience or a series of experiences made “church” feel unsafe. Is reconciliation and peace possible?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to reengage in the family of God. Perhaps today God wants you to “kiss and make up” with someone. Maybe today God wants you to remember that your membership in the family of God transcends all other “memberships.”

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (p. 201). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 234–235). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 270–271). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 496–497). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 109–110). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (p. 177). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 426–428). Baker Academic.

one step: 1 Thessalonians 5.9

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

During the time of Paul, the Greeks argued between a bipartite and tripartite person.* Meaning, some believed humans to be two parts (such as inner and outer being or soul and body), while others argued for a three-part view (such as body, soul, and spirit). Most scholars agree that Paul is not attempting to choose sides in this debate (a debate that continues today).* What he is doing, however, is suggesting that the salvific work of Christ covers the whole person.* Furthermore, Paul rejects a view common to Greek thought of his time that the body was a tomb or prison from which the soul must escape.* Paul elevates the entirety of the human being to receive the attention and sanctification that God desires to do in us.*

In fact, that statement sums it up: “sanctification that God desires to do in us.”

Paul reminds the church that the work of salvation is complete and it’s out of reach.* In our life, we attempt to “be good enough.” Our society seeks immortality and perfection in the body. We seek to maximize our minds, wrestling our souls into eternal positivity and self-actualization through knowledge hoarding. We attempt to embrace a spirituality on our own terms or even apart from God. Paul reminds us that while we choose to submit to the sanctifying process of God, it is He who does the work. It is God who completes it. Apart from God, salvation is out of reach.

This truth should a) set our minds at ease if we are striving, and/or b) bring us joy and peace that He will finish it.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow God to work out sanctifying (cleaning and making holy) every part of our life. Perhaps today God wants you to stop striving and surrender to Him that area you have been wrestling in. Maybe today God wants you to take a deep breath: He’s not done with you yet.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 200–201). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 233–234). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 266–270). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 491–494). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 107–109). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 175–176). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 418–424). Baker Academic.

one step: 1 Thessalonians 5.8

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Scripture refers to the Holy Spirit as a fire (Jer. 20:9; Matt. 3:11; Luke 3:16; Acts 2:3; 18:25; Rom. 12:11; 2 Tim. 1:6; and John 5:35).* Interestingly, humanity (broken and weak) can quench the work of the Holy Spirit (God). According to Paul in 1 Thessalonians, this can happen when prophecies are despised. Certainly, any believer would shudder at the idea of serving as the source of the quenching of the Spirit, so what is prophecy? How do we avoid despising it?

According to Cecile Robeck, prophecy can be defined as,

a word or oracle given or revealed by God through the initiative and inspiration of the Holy Spirit and conveyed by a willing medium or participant sometimes designated as a ‘prophet’ or as ‘one who prophesies.’ A prophecy is given in order to meet one or more needs within the Christian community for guidance and direction, edification, encouragement, consolation or witness.*

On one hand, because humanity is broken and weak, we may find instances where prophecy is faked or incomplete or inaccurate.* These instances may cause us to want to reject all words labeled as “prophecy” in an effort to live integrous lives before God and man or in an effort to self-protect from disappointment. On the other hand, because humanity is broken and weak, and God is not, humans may feel pressured to accept anything labeled as “prophecy” for fear of missing something that God has to say or because we are called to listen and obey God.* Because of these diametric emotions, we can find ourselves wondering, “how am I supposed to act and feel about prophecy?”

Quenching the Spirit may occur when we reject everything that is called “prophecy,” but quenching the Spirit may also occur when we accept everything that is called “prophecy.” Indeed, accepting everything that one claims, “God told me” without discretion will lead to a loss of credibility.

We must test prophecy. How?

Gregory Beale shares with us ways that we may test prophecy:

(1) the consistency of the prophecy with revealed Scripture (in Paul’s time, the Old Testament [Acts 17:11]

(2) the prophet’s acknowledgement of Christ’s full deity and humanity (1 Jn 4:1–6) as well as God’s free forgiveness through Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Cor 15:12–20; Gal 1:1–9)

(3) the godly character of the one claiming to be a prophet (Mt 7:15–23)

(4) the result of the prophecy, which should always build up the church in every way (cf. 1 Cor 13–14)*

Once we have discerned whether something is a message from God or not, we have a responsibility:

If not: reject it. Do not live by it.

Is so: accept it. Live by it.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to open your heart to what He may want to say through others. Perhaps today God wants you to reject the voices and messages that are not Him. Maybe today God wants you to remember the last thing He instructed you to do, and do it.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 182–185). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 224–227). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 260–266). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 476–480). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 105–107). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 171–175). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 405–411). Baker Academic.

one step: 1 Thessalonians 5.7

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Paul’s command to the community of Christ seems like a tall order. When we understand what he intends to communicate, we find some remarkable treasures for application today. Let’s take each in order:

1. Rejoice always - the characteristic of the community of Christ was wholly unique.* While other religions of the day focused on negative emotions and responses to life circumstances and the human condition (Stoicism, coming closer to positivity, aimed to have no emotion at all), Christianity called the believer to have joy.* God did not intend this attention-getting command to create fake, in-genuine people who express bubbly emotions of positivity at all times.* No, God invites us to rejoice even in the hard times without denying their difficulty and pain.* How do we do this? We understand that even in the difficulty, God can use that for us too.*

2. pray without ceasing - prayer was not unique to the Christian faith.* Paganism and Judaism both allocated time for prayer.* The biggest differentiator for Christians was a) prayer was to happen “without ceasing”… meaning, at all times and not limited to certain times of day,* and b) unlike paganism, prayers were not to be offered in an attempt to manipulate God.* Prayers should come from an understanding that we are the children of God, and He already delights in us.*

3. give thanks in all circumstances - related to point 1, God invites us not to thank Him for pain, but to thank Him that the pain is never in vain.* We live in a broken world, and God uses the brokenness that humanity and sin introduced to bring them closer to Him. It’s the masterful work of the loving Father.

4. for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - God desires good for us. God desires that we reflect genuine life to others through the lens of understanding that God changes everything.

We don’t need to pretend that everything is okay when it isn’t; we need to live in the reality that God will use all things for good even when all things aren’t good. We don’t need to convince God of this, we just need to bring it to Him. He’s the Good Father, and He cares.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to rejoice that He is with you and that His presence changes everything. Perhaps today you have tried almost everything, but God wants you to pray. Maybe today God wants you to live in gratitude that the pain isn’t the end.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (p. 181). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (p. 223). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 255–257). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 468–471). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, p. 103). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 166–167). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 396–398). Baker Academic.