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"Comfort and Edify One Another"
1 Thess 5:11
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Paul was continually concerned about the well being of the saints. When he wrote the words above to the Thessalonians, he was concerned deeply about their spiritual wellness. He had just told them to be assured that Christ is coming again, therefore don't lose vigilance in looking forward to His return. Live your life as if His return was imminent. Paul's concern for the spiritual well being of the saints is evidenced in all his letters.
Col 1:9-13
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
1 Thess 2:10-12
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory
Rom 1:9-10
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
1 Cor 1:4-5
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
These are but a sampling of the evidence of Paul's concern for the saints. However, Paul recognized that their spiritual well being was influenced by other factors, like worry, the persecution they faced for doing what was right (not only from the world, but from their own brethren), and from physical want.
Today, in our society we have "safety nets" that are provided by our government and agencies to alleviate the physical want of those who are needy. Christ addressed this issue for Christians many times by pointing out our own responsibility to each other.
Matt 25:37-46
…40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'…
One of the lessons from this passage is that we have abundant opportunities to do good to those who have need.
We are truly blessed at Cedar Park. We meet in a nice building that is paid for. We are in a prosperous city, in a prosperous nation. We have many talented and spiritually minded saints in our congregation. And we are blessed with opportunities far and near to share our wealth with others who have need.
This wealth is not only financial, but can also be demonstrated in our sacrifice of time and effort. We can help those who are elderly or shut-in by running errands or taking them to services. We can help those who are suffering loss of a loved one by talking to them with comforting words and fixing meals. We can help those who are lonely by having them over or sending cards or letters or by going to visit them. We can help the elderly by mowing their lawns, doing minor repairs or major repairs for them. The opportunities are many.
James 2:14-18
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Thinking and talking about good works is not enough. We must do good works, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
-Mike Benson
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