I Thessalonians 5:16-24: Putting it to the Test

Lectionary Cycle Year B: Third Sunday in Advent
I Thessalonians 5:16-24 (Read it on Bible Gateway)
Putting it to the Test
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In this passage from Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians we find sage words of guidance from this great theologian that can speak to us just as clearly as they did to their original audience. Paul hits on a number of solid teachings, let's look at each one.

Be joyful always...
What is the difference between happiness and joy? Simple. Happiness is a response to some outiside circumstance. We get a raise or promotion, our team wins the big game, our kid tells us they love us, these are things that bring happiness. It can be deep or superficial, longlasting or as brief as a flickering flame. Joy is something that comes from within, born of our faith and our relationship with Christ. It's that smile or quiet laugh that comes when we least expect it, that sense of warmth even in the midst of cold, that sense of well-being even in the midst of threat.

In my own experience, people that carry a strong sense of faith, also seem to carry an endless fount of joy. If you aren't feeling this in your life, it may be something to do some serious praying and thinking about.

Pray continually...
We often have a bad sense of prayer. While it's nice to kneel, bow our heads and close our eyes when we pray, its not necessary to prayer and hopefully we don't limit prayer to the times we are in that position. Prayer should be a daily, ongoing dialogue with God in our thoughts. We all have that little voice that constantly runs in our head. It might be reminding us about what we need at the grocery store, or we might waste it saying all the things to our boss that we don't dare say in front of them directly. Try praying with it and turning that internal conversation into unceasing prayer.

Give thanks in all circumstances...
A lot of people read this and think this one is particularly tough, but that may be because of a slight misreading. It doesn't say we should gives thanks FOR all circumstances, simply IN all circumstances. The difference is that no matter what is going on in our lives we can find something to give thanks to God for, so even if we're struggling in one area, spend time to reflect on the blessings you have in others and be thankful. Too often we let our frustrations rule us and our problems occupy all our energy and focus. Find time to focus on the good as well.

Do not put out the Spirit's fire...
While Paul may have been warning against more outright sins, I prefer to think that Paul here is speaking his case for genuine, spirit-filled worship. I've attended worship services that were groups of people going through the motions. They had all the elements, all the right words, but they were formula and empty. They are also a world of difference from a spirit-filled service that is flowing with love, praise, thanksgiving and prayer.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt...
Prophecies at their heart are plans and proclamations of God's will, as such they should be treated respectfully and never cast aside. We as humans have a tendency to dismiss things we don't understand. We don't like to admit we don't understand them. Prophecies with their mystery, their symbolic images and their vague hints often can be confusing. Instead of dismissing them because we don't have an instant understanding, let them be a focus for study, a challenge to us in our growth. We don't have to master them, just wrestle with them.

Test everything...
Ah, now HERE is a teaching many Christians need to be reminded of. One of my greatest frustrations as a Pastor or Counselor was in dealing with people who believed in Test nothing instead. They spoke of the Bible as a single voiced, unchallengeable guide that, inevitably, they knew inside out and thus could speak with absolute authority on. What arrogance and ultimately what a failing to grasp the whole concept of faith. We are called to challenge, to question, to put to the test, every teaching, every idea, every philosophy. It is how we grow as individuals in the faith and how we grow collectively as a species in the faith.

Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil...
Two sides of the same coin. We would all do well to remember that temptation doesn't start with the big things, instead it seduces us with little things, things that aren't 'that' bad, things that may not even be bad at all. Paul always drew a very solid line in matters of good and evil and we as Christians should find those lines in our own lives and not cross them.

The passage closes with Paul's blessing and assurance to the Thessalonians. If we genuinely seek to live by these shared standards, we will go a long ways in securing such a blessing for ourselves.

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