Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
Devotion
On the first read, my favorite word in these verses is “peace”. My not-so-favorite: “admonish”. My favorite thing is to be at peace, especially these days. The idea of admonishment makes me feel uncomfortable.
By one definition, admonish means to “warn or reprimand someone firmly”. Being challenged is tough to deal with. Admittedly, I’m stubborn and change can mean hard work. I don’t often look forward to someone telling me something about myself that is difficult or that I don’t really want to hear.
Yet, according to these verses, I’m supposed to have a different attitude – one of respect and love. Why should I be thankful and respect those who challenge me in my relationship with Jesus? Because, as Paul was reminding the Thessalonians in these verses, I can know that when one of our elders in Christ or one of our church leaders delivers an admonishment that is from the Lord, that person is doing so because of their love for me and you. Just like God told us that He disciplines us because he loves us (try searching the Bible for the word “discipline” and see what He says in the books of Proverbs, Hebrews, and Revelation).
Admonish also means “to advise or urge someone”. When you really love someone, you advise them with all of your heart to make wise choices. In the same way, our leaders and elders urge us to follow Jesus, even when it is difficult.
In retrospect, as I think about the people who have shown that they really care about me, it has been my parents, teachers, bosses, coaches, and elders in the church who have challenged me. The ones who told me, because of their love, where I needed to improve; whether in family, at work, in sports, or in my walk with Jesus. These are the people I truly do esteem and love.
With that perspective and understanding, it’s easier to love, have respect, be thankful, and be at peace. I’ve grown in my love for our elders in Christ. This love that we all share is another amazing example of what makes the body of Christ so special and different from the rest of the world.
Prayer
Lord, please help us to bless those who serve as our elders and our leaders in the church. Help them to do what is right and be brave in challenging us with your words. Help us to humbly listen so that we can be more like you. Please help our elders and leaders to stay close to you, and help us all to live as you want. Amen.
Author: Chris Fraser
Recent Comments