There's No Such Thing as a SOMETIMES Christian... (Part 2)

2 Thessalonians 4: 14-25

14- Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

(This may be hard, but it is NOT up to us to decide who we will comfort, support or be patient toward.)

15- See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men.

(See that none render evil for evil unto any man--no man. Including parents, teachers, co-workers, friends or enemies…which may be the toughest of all...)

16- Rejoice evermore. 17- Pray without ceasing.

(Constantly pray...in the car, in bed, brushing your teeth- there's always something to pray about or to look at and say "Thank you Lord").

18- In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19- Quench not the Spirit. 20-Despise not prophesyings. 21- Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

(Hold fast that which is good. That reminds me of this song...Hold Fast… “Hold fast, Help is on the way, Hold fast, He's come to save the day, What I've learned in my life, One thing greater than my strife, Is His grasp, So hold fast.” It won't always be easy, but it'll be worth it in the end. No matter what you are going through, the answer is to trust in Christ FULL TIME!)

22- Abstain from all appearance of evil.

(To abstain means to stay away from in a sense…stay away from all evil and all appearance of evil…not just at church or home, but even on a night when you're out with friends who think it's okay to drink, smoke, curse, wear revealing clothing and jewelry, and pressure you to as well...stick up for what you believe- what you KNOW is right- that which is good.)

23- And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! He isn't coming for a Bride full of stains. You wouldn't expect a modern day bride to march down the isle in a wedding gown that has big ink stains on it, would you? In this same sense, the Bride of Christ will do her part in making sure she has no stains…)

24- Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

(He has called us. He is the one who will accomplish this in us. He is faithful to us. God has NEVER been unfaithful. There will be many times in life when friends and family will let us down and disappoint us, but God won't. True, we may disappoint Him, but here's where the next verse comes in…)

25- Brethren, pray for us.

(Having the prayers of our brothers and sisters in the Lord can help us as we are struggling…and seeing how we ALL want each other to make it to heaven, we should PRAY WITHOUT CEASING for each other and what did it say at the beginning of this passage…warn, support and be patient toward one another as well!)

-[Cindi Shaw]