1 Thessalonians 5:12–28 (NKJV)
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
In the beginning verses of this chapter, God brings St. Paul to fix the eyes of the faithful on the object of faith—Jesus Christ, the crucified. Then, not coincidentally, St. Paul moves on to exhort them to recognize those filling the Office of the Holy Ministry, “to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake,” and to be “at peace among yourselves.”
Pastors certainly go through hardships when faithfully undertaking the Office of the Holy Ministry (which is aimed not just at bringing peace between man and God, but peace within the flock as well). Having to carry out the ministry of the Law (2 Cor. 3)—in pointing out sin to drown and kill the Old Man through admonishment—will always bring resistance from men (even believers), who, by nature, will ever be curved inward toward themselves. It’s only after such a killing that the ministry of the Gospel can then take place, creating new life through faith alone in the fully atoning merits of Christ Jesus. This rightly brings about a carrying out of the many exhortations contained in these verses—by way of the Gospel, not the Law.
Christians are sanctified (that is, imputed, or accounted, with Christ’s righteousness) through faith alone, and good works flow from this faith. Today’s text reveals that it is God who is responsible for all of this: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” What a blessed theology to have! Straight from Holy Scripture and rightly confessed throughout the Lutheran Confessions!
Let us pray: Almighty and Everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and charity; and that we may obtain what You have promised, make us to love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
