"A Healthy Flock"
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Paul wraps up his first letter to the church in Thessalonica with a list of things we should all practice as church members. It's a recipe for a healthy church culture. If every member practiced the things listed in these few verses, churches would be stronger, more peaceful, focused on the right priority, more effective in spreading the good news, and, most certainly, easier to lead. If we all made these traits our way of life, we would be amazed at what God could do through us! Read and see if you agree:
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.