19-21 Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25-26 Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27-28 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-28 English Standard Version

What was the apostle Paul's longing for the Christians in Thessalonica? (vs 23-24)

He wanted them to arrive safe and sound at the end of this world's journey! He'd told them earlier that whether believers had died, or were still alive at Christ's return, they would all be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. All Christians should desire to be blameless when that day comes. This sounds like an impossible ambition, but that doesn't mean we should not strive towards it. What is the encouragement we can take from vs 23-24 for such an ambition?

We are not left to our own strength. God is actively involved in helping Christians to put off things they know to be wrong. Having called us to salvation in Jesus Christ, He is able to bring us safely home. Some Christians have debated what the words 'body, soul, and spirit', imply, but it may simply be to convey a picture of our whole being. What we mustn't do with those words is teach that it's okay to sin with our body, as long as it doesn't affect our soul, or sin in our soul, but not in our spirit. Sin affects our whole being.

Can you see how vs 19-22 can actually relate to what vs 23-24 were about?

In those days some believers were given an ability to speak a word of prophecy. We read in Acts how a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea to where Paul was staying and “he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, 'Thus says the Holy Spirit, this is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (Acts 21:11) That was a true prophecy. But Paul's words to the Thessalonians imply that it was a gift that could easily be imitated. So while they were not to stop people from prophesying, they were to carefully test whatever was said. (This meant comparing the ‘prophecy’ with what the Bible teaches.) Why were they to do this? (vs 22)

There was a danger that the saints could be led into evil behaviour by someone who claimed to be bringing a message from God. The Lord Jesus gave an example of this when He warned Christians in a town called Thyatira to not tolerate “a woman who called herself a prophetess - but who was teaching and seducing my servants to practise sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:20) Even today, Christians must carefully examine any messages people bring in the light of what God's word teaches. False teaching is one of the big ways Satan tries to keep us from finishing our journey blameless in body, soul and spirit.

Paul finishes his letter by asking these everyday Christians to pray for him and his fellow workers. Oh let us never think that we are just nobodies in the Church. I believe eternity will show that some of the greatest Christian work in the world was brought about by God in answer to the prayers of ordinary, insignificant believers. We see too that Paul encouraged that his letter be read to the whole congregation, perhaps implying that it be shared with other believers as well. That's how our New Testament came about. Letters written by apostles were kept and circulated.

This particular letter encouraged new Christians to keep going despite the strong opposition and trials they faced. It spoke of an expectancy of Christ's return, and the assurance that even those who had died would be resurrected. It called them to respect their leaders, and urged the leaders to shepherd the flock with great patience. And it encouraged them to examine any messages spoken in their meetings. We will get to journey's end if we do these things, especially if we hold fast to what is good.