Jesus told us that the essence of the Law is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves. But how do we put this love into practice in our daily lives, especially as we live with one another as a family of faith?

In verses 16-18, Paul reminds us that true love for God will affect the way we look at even the most difficult circumstances of our lives. Of course such love means we’ll pray about our problems rather than worry about them. And we’ll be able to keep a thankful, joyful heart no matter what happens, certain as we are of God’s love for us.

And such a foundation of love should lead us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. Of course such love means we’ll encourage those who are fainthearted and help the weak (v. 14). Moreover, true love naturally leads us to be patient even with those who disagree with us, and to seek peace within the Church, instead of trying to pay others back who have hurt us (vv. 13-15)

But if we truly love our fellow Christians we will also seek to warn them when they are living in a way that is inconsistent with their profession of faith in Christ. Paul specifically mentions the sin of idleness in verse 14, but real love sometimes requires us to be honest with one another about many different kinds of sins. The sad fact is that sin is deceptive, and sometimes that means we need a fresh perspective to help us realize when we are getting off track. True love thus means being willing both to speak and to hear such warnings.

So it is no wonder that Paul begins this passage by urging his readers to love and respect the leaders of the Church, the elders who are chosen not only to teach the Word but to hold us accountable for following it (vv. 12-13). For if we are willing to follow the example of our leaders as they follow Christ, we’ll all live more consistently according to God’s perfect law of love.

I Thessalonians 5:12-18 (NASB)

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,
13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
14 And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.
15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men.
16 Rejoice always;
17 pray without ceasing;
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.