1 Thess 5:12-22 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
Many people say, “I can’t understand the Bible; I don’t know what I’m supposed to do so how does God expect me to act and live?” Paul was pretty specific in his instructions to the Thessalonian church. Hold your teachers in high regard, live in peace and do not be lazy. Don’t put down but encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with EVERYONE, do not be vengeful, show kindness to each other and everyone else, always be joyful and in an attitude of prayer at all times and thank God in every circumstance. Do not deny what the Holy Spirit is doing and obey His leading, do not scorn but honor prophesies that are truly from God, test everything to be sure it is God’s truth, hang on to what is right and good and avoid evil of any kind. The Apostle Paul also says to the Ephesians, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.” (Eph 6:1-9) The Word is really quite clear as to what is expected of us in our day-to-day life. The question is why do we look for loopholes and make lame excuses?
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