As Paul begins to close this dynamic little letter, he does so with a series of commands for how the Thessalonian church should live out their faith in community with one another. How they view and respond to their spiritual leaders is important. How the leaders lead and serve is critical. There ought to be a beautiful and loving symbiotic relationship between church leaders and the church body. Paul also teaches them what practical love toward one another looks like in the body. Pursuing peace, correcting the idle, encouraging the fainthearted, helping the weak, refusing revenge and seeking to do good to those in your local family of faith. This type of family isn’t easy. But it’s healthy, it’s beautiful, and most importantly, it’s a picture of Christ to the world around us.

From Series: 1 Thessalonians | More Messages from Chris Dillon