The teaching the Thessalonians received about the coming of Christ and of living alert until He comes has a useful purpose. It’s not about setting dates, scaring each other, or creating controversy. We often do not consider what Paul says here. What should we do? Paul says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Paul repeats what he told them in verse 18. This is something we need to do with “each other.” God has called us to be a community in Christ. We’re a Body. A body depends on all its members to function according to God’s plan. We must encourage each other by comforting ourselves in the loss of believers, urging ourselves to wait for the coming of Christ, and to live alert as children of light/day.
Not only this, but we must build each other up.
“build each other up as you are already doing” v. 11b
One of Paul’s favorite words is to “build” that comes from the area of architecture. A building is built with all the necessary materials. You can’t leave any out, otherwise the building doesn’t work.
These truths we have learned about the coming of Christ (you can read the related entries here, here, here, and here) should be used to help us grow spiritually with each other. This means that you must be actively involved in the lives of others to help them grow and others must be actively active in your life to help you grow. It’s a mutual thing and we’re all needed. We are all valuable. This is done in what we call discipleship. This is different from Bible study or coming to church on Sundays to worship together. This is part of it, but that’s not all.
How can you encourage others and help them grow spiritually with these truths you have learned? How are you allowing others to invest and build in your life? Are you involved in discipleship?
