1 Thessalonians 5:14 gives us wise and practical instruction for all our interactions with God’s people this Sunday morning and always.
Too often, I think we are guilty of applying the wrong strategy to the wrong person – so we sometimes warn and rebuke those who are fainthearted or weak, whilst trying to encourage those who need frankly a pastoral kick up the backside, and we try and give the fainthearted practical help and support instead of simply loving and encouraging them.
“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”
The footnote states that the idle could also be translated disorderly, or undisciplined – which goes to show that you can be lazy and accomplish nothing whilst there is a lot of (disorganised) activity going on.
This morning, whether you are a leader or not, why not think which of these categories of people (or indeed which temporary response to a particular situation) you are dealing with today when you meet with God’s people and apply the appropriate strategy!
