Reference
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, ‘The Apostle Paul’s final exhortation, benediction and
prayer’.
Key Verse: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17).
Christ-centered spiritually awake believers seek is to live in the newness and fullness of this present life in Christ, in the mind of the spirit (Romans 8:1-11). These believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups patiently await the coming, revelation, incarnation and manifestation of Christ (ADONAI, Jehovah) in power and glory in their souls, hearts, minds, emotions and bodies, through their spiritual bodies. They seek the manifestation of the completion of God's purpose for the world as revealed in Jesus Christ, as Messiah.
In today's Epistle 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, the apostle Paul exhorts believers who seek and follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, to rejoice always, as they anticipate Christ's coming, not in weakness but in power, to make all things new. Paul urge them to pray without ceasing and steadfastly trust that in God's presence, all who have chosen to serve God, will grow in Christ's love, grace and truth, until they see Christ as he is (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
Paul assure these believers that Jesus Christ as Messiah, is faithful in revealing and fulfilling God's eternal plan of salvation for all mankind. God's promises of forgiveness of sins, redemption and abundant life are manifested and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. With Joy these spiritually awake believers await the coming and full revelation of Christ, the eternal judge both the living and the dead, as revealed in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Paul reminds believers that it is the will of God that they give thanks in all things and in all circumstances. Frequent practices of thanksgiving are encouraged, within witnessing paschal faith communities. Paul suggests that persistent attitudes of thankfulness are vital in Christ-centered spiritual awakening, spiritual formation and spiritual maturity, after resurrection from spiritual death, in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
When living within Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based witnessing faith communities, Paul cautions believers about the seriousness of committing sins against the Holy Spirit. In Mark 3:28-30 Jesus declared to religious leaders in his own religion, "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven of their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven, but is guilty of eternal sin - for they said the he (Jesus Christ) has an unclean spirit". Paul cautioned believers not to quench the Holy Spirit. He also advised them not to despise prophesies, spoken forth by believers within their witnessing paschal faith communities (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20).
Paul reminded these believers that in the mind of the spirit, they should prove all things. It is the will of God that all believers should, cast out the mind of the flesh and hold fast to that which is good. Believers should, with God's help, shun and abstain from that with is evil (Romans 8:1-11, Philippians 4:8-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 the apostle Paul prayed this prayer. "May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our our Lord, Jesus Christ". He reminds believers that God, who has called all mankind to repentance and faith in Christ, will bring peace, sanctification, soundness and blamelessness at the coming and revelation of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:24)
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