One of our congregational values is “building a covenantal community of love and care”. This is not a job description for the elders and deacons only, but for all of us. As individuals in a congregation, we believe it is important to love and care for each other. But what does that look like in practice? Have you thought about what it means to build a covenantal community of love and care?
Thankfully, the Scriptures teach us what a covenantal community of love and care looks like. One of the passages which teaches us about this is verses fourteen and fifteen of 1 Thessalonians 5. In it, Paul encourages the Thessalonians to minister to each others’ needs, and to do good, not evil. If we follow Paul’s words to the Thessalonians, we too will build a loving and caring covenantal community.
After encouraging the Thessalonian congregation to love and support their leaders, Paul turned to the way in which individuals in the congregation, and the congregation as a whole, could care for each other. He did this by urging them to action (v.14).
The first way that the Thessalonians could minister to each others’ needs was to “admonish the idle” (v.14). The word idle could also refer to the unruly and undisciplined, but likely in this context is referring to idleness because this is a frequent mention in Paul’s two letters to Thessalonica.
The Christian life is not one of idleness but one of diligent work. Not to earn our salvation, but to complete the good works prepared for us beforehand (Eph. 2:10). This takes many shapes. The way in which we work in a job instead of slacking off. The way in which we work in raising children instead of full-time outsourcing to the screen. The way in which we study instead of socialising all the time. The way in which we use our spiritual gifts to build up each other.
Idleness is leaving aside our God-given responsibilities, and relying on others to carry the slack. A rowing team will not move far if only some of the rowers are at work. We care for each other by working alongside each other. When we see capable and able people not doing so, we should encourage them to work for the Lord.
Secondly, Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to “encourage the fainthearted” (v.14). Truth is, some of us are more discouraged than others. All of us face discouragement from time to time. Personal sin. Life setbacks. External pressure or persecution. A trusted person lets them down. When we see discouraged among us, we should encourage them by pointing them to God’s goodness and God’s promises both in the Bible and their own lives.
Paul also encouraged them to “help the weak” (v.14). This could have many applications. Some people need more assistance than others due to their health, physical condition, age, or circumstances. Others may be weakened spiritually by sinful or moral temptations and conflicts. Helping those in these circumstances sets us apart from the world, which throws the weak under the proverbial bus through one means or another.
Whether reproving the idle, encouraging the fainthearted, or helping the weak, the Thessalonians were to “be patient with them all” (v.14). Change is not a flip of the switch. It takes time and effort. We must patiently bear with one another, even in our own weaknesses. As we show patience, we bear one of the fruits of the Spirit.
But beyond this, a covenantal community of love and care is one which shows grace and goodness to everyone. “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone” (v.15).
This is a negative and positive application of the golden rule, and reflects Christ’s teaching regarding loving enemies and avoiding vengeance (cf. Luke 6:27-36). We should see that none of us indulge in personal vengeance for wrongs done against us, as hard as that sometimes may be. Ultimately payback for wrongs is for God to pour out, either on the unrepentant sinner or for the repentant, poured out on Christ at the Cross instead.
Whether it is a fellow Christian or an unbeliever, the answer to evil is not more evil but good. That does not mean we cannot seek justice through the appointed channels, but revenge and retaliation are out; restraint and goodness are in. In a world of bloodlust and tit for tat, turning our desire for revenge over to God and showing the love of Christ is like a bright light in a dark night. This is not an easy thing to do, but it is God’s command. We need his help in this.
A covenantal community of love and care is a congregation which cares for each other where they are, and helps them fulfil their calling as God’s children. Through discouraging idleness, encouraging the fainthearted, helping the weak, and showing grace and goodness to all, we reflect Christ’s love to each other and to a world which needs Jesus.
