In these
concluding verses of his first letter to the Thessalonians, we can gather some insights
on impactful living from the life and examples of Paul. First of the lots is his
prayer. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians to have a sanctified life (v.23). In
his prayer, he referred to God as the God of peace. He saw Him as the
originator of perfect harmony. He prayed that believers would not only be
sanctified but also preserved for the coming of the Lord.
This phrase
“spirit and soul and body” suggests that man is a tripartite being. Man has an
innermost being called the spirit, the part that he communes with God. Then he
has an intermediate being called the soul. This part is
comprised of the will, the thoughts and the emotion. This is where man makes
his decision in life. Then he also has an outer being called the body. This is
made up of the five senses – sight, smell, sound, taste and touch. This is the part
of him that connects with the external world. Remember, man’s spirit is made
for worship, his soul is made for witness and his body is made for work.
Secondly, he
reminded the Thessalonians of God’s faithfulness (v.24). The basis for Paul’s
prayer and request has its foundation on a faithful God. When God calls, you
can trust Him to be faithful to sustain you in that call. He will definitely
bring to pass what He had promised.
Thirdly, he requested
prayers for him and his team (v.25). “Brethren, pray for us,” he requested.
Several times in this letter he told the Thessalonians that he prayed for them.
Now he requested prayer for himself and his team. This reveals the humility of
Paul. We are reminded that there is no person too great that he won’t need the prayer
support of fellow believers.
Fourthly, Paul
exhorted them to greet all (v.26), and to do so with a holy kiss. Notice that
the call was to greet “all.” This would therefore exclude discrimination or
favoritism. The “holy kiss” was cultural specific to Paul’s environment, even in
today’s Middle Eastern culture. For us, a handshake would be the norm. In our
modern vernacular, this verse would read, “greet all brethren with a warm
handshake and a hug.”
Fifthly, he instructed
that the letter should be read publicly (v.27). Knowing that what he wrote
would be beneficial to all, Paul strongly urged that his letter to them be read
publicly. This would also enforce his apostolic authority.
Finally, the
apostle closed with the grace of God (v.28). If not for the grace of God, man
would be languishing in sin, despair and hopelessness. Therefore, it is fitting
that the apostle should conclude with the wish that this inexhaustible grace of
God would be the believers’ experience forever.
Beloved, in
the Word of God and examples of the apostle Paul, we have a right heritage of
faith. It behooves us as God’s beloved children and emissaries, to tap on them,
learn from them, and live out our lives to honor and magnify God.
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