Basic Instructions for Every Church

We have come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. It is a tremendously positive letter, filled with love and encouragement. Nevertheless, Paul does have instruction and admonition for the young congregation. Here, Paul rifles through final exhortations, leaving for the Thessalonians a compendium of items that they need to pursue. We would do well to listen to this list, to pursue these items with fervency and delight. We can and should do these things, not because it wins us our salvation, nor because we are able to in our own might, but rather because it is the will of God for us, and the God of peace himself will sanctify us completely!