Bible Reading
I Thessalonians 5:
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16Rejoice evermore.
17Pray without ceasing.
18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19Quench not the Spirit.
20Despise not prophesyings.
21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.
26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Devotional
There is no room for trouble making, quarrelsomeness, or contentiousness among Christians. In their associations with one another, whether in the church or outside of it, they should seek peace and pursue it. There are, of course, bound to be irritations and provocations in their relationships. None of them is perfect, not even the most dedicated among them - who are most faithful in discharging the duties of membership or of office in the church. The marvel is not that there is still sin among them. The marvel is that they are as good as they are. They have not, of course, reached perfection, but they have been transformed by grace. Their Saviour gave Himself for them all and He loves them all, even the most fractious and disagreeable of them. Surely, then, they should love one another. Surely they should not let personal difficulties disrupt the peace of the church or hamper its testimony. Surely, realizing one another's need of grace, they should be slow to anger, humble, peaceable, and eager to assist one another and to strengthen their bonds in Christ.
Christians should contend with all their power to maintain the purity of the church, to drive out soul-destroying error, and to defend the Gospel against all those who would deny it. They should also strive with all their power to maintain the unity and peace of the church for believers. Their energy should not be consumed by unworthy, unbrotherly, internal strife over trifling matters, but should be conserved and developed for a powerful struggle against unbelief or unrighteousness, wherever it is found within or without the church.
Welcome to "Think on These Things," a twelve-week daily devotional prepared by the late Dr. John H. Skilton, an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and for many years Chairman of the New Testament Department at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.
We are indebted to P & R Publishing and Skilton House Ministries for permission to use this copyrighted material on the OPC Web site. (P & R held the copyright from 1975 to 2005, at which time they reassigned the copyright to Skilton House.)
