Chapter 1083 of 1163

1 Thessalonians 5

False peace (1–11). The “day of the Lord” is that time when God will pour out His wrath on the world. God’s people have been saved from wrath, so they need not worry (v. 9; 1:10); but the lost world will be caught at a time when they think they are secure. To be ready for Christ’s coming, God’s people must be sober and live in the light.

Family peace (12–22). The local church fellowship should reflect God’s peace; and it will if God’s people obey authority, minister to one another, and submit to the Spirit of God. Verse 21 emphasizes the positive and verse 22 the negative, and both are important.

Faithful peace (23–28). Holiness and peace go together (Isa. 32:17), for the God who quiets the heart also cleanses the heart (James 3:17). A disturbed heart is sometimes evidence of unconfessed sin. God is faithful; let Him bring purity and peace to your heart.

Welcome the Spirit’s Ministry

“Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19) is an admonition to Christians not to resist and reject the ministry of the Spirit. The image is that of fire (Isa. 34:4; Acts 2:3; Rev. 4:5). Just as fire brings light, heat, and cleansing, so the Spirit enlightens, enables, and purifies His people. Paul reminded Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” (2 Tim. 1:6), which means “get the fire burning again.” Are you allowing the fire to go out on the altar of your life (Lev. 6:9, 12)?

“I have noticed this, that when a man is full of the Holy Ghost, he is the very last man to be complaining of other people. He loves everybody too tenderly. He loves even a cold church, and is anxious to lift them up and bring them to a kinder feeling and sympathy.”

D. L. Moody

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