Several years ago there was an email forward going around that claimed to contain the questions from a turn of the century 8th grade final examination. To the average person (and even the above average person) the exam was frightening in its level of difficulty. The point of the email is to marvel at how expectations have fallen over the years.
1 Thessalonians 5.14-22 serves a similar role.
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, [3] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every
form of evil.
As I ponder those expectations, my response is "what a strong challenge for spiritual leaders." But then I realize that based on vv. 12-13, these are not the expectations for the leaders but for the typical believer. These are things those under leadership should be doing.
The typical believer in our church should be pouring thier lives into others, holding each other accountable and having a stake in the growth of those around them.
Let us be challenged to keep expectations high...for ourselves and for those around us.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment