It’s been a Chapter 5 kinda day!

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 (NASB)

¹⁴ We urge you, brethren, advise earnestly (admonish) the unruly (undiciplined), encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit; ²⁰ do not despise prophetic utterances (gifts). ²¹ But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; ²² abstain from every form (appearance) of evil.

 

One of my favorite passages.

 

Here, we are urged to be advisors, be encouraging, be helpful, and be patient.

 

Here, we are urged to always seek goodness, and never repay evil with evil, not even in the name of good.

 

Here, we are urged to rejoice, pray, and always give thanks.

 

Here, we are urged to not tear down anyone’s spirit, or belittle anyone’s gifts.

 

Here, we are urged to accept nothing at face value, to question everything, while staying away from evil … quite simply by always residing in the realms of …

 

Love

 

Joy

 

Peace

 

Patience

 

Kindness

 

Goodness

 

Faithfulness

 

Gentleness

 

and Self Control  Galatians 5:22

and lastly (another chapter five) …

Matthew 5:43-47

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you show yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”

 

Peace,

Kurby