Out of Step

Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 to “warn them that are unruly” refers to those out of step not with us, not with the church, but with Jesus Christ Himself. The Greek word ataktous pictures soldiers breaking rank, refusing discipline, and abandoning formation. Too often we judge “unruliness” by our own preferences or traditions, but Scripture insists that the only true standard is the law-word of God. Those out of step with Christ must be admonished “put into mind” with the clear teachings and commandments of Scripture. Faithfulness sometimes means being out of step with people in order to be in step with the Lord. Paul confronts us with a searching question: are we marching to the cadence of Christ or merely keeping pace with men?