Preparing for a wedding is a massive undertaking. There are dates to set, venues to book, suits to buy, and relationships to nurture. For months, your entire life revolves around getting ready for that one moment.In 1 Thessalonians 5, the Apostle Paul instructs the church on how to prepare for an even bigger “Day”—the Day of the Lord. While the Old Testament prophets often described this day as one of fearful judgment and darkness, Paul offers a glimmer of hope. For those in Christ, this day is not a cause for terror, but for encouragement. So, how do we get ready? Paul suggests that our preparation is found in the quality of our relationships.
1. Our Relationship with Leaders
Preparation begins with acknowledging and honoring those who work hard to care for us in the Lord. This honor isn’t based on personal achievements, but on their spiritual function. Leaders have the difficult task of “admonishing” or rebuking us when necessary to keep us on the right path. By submitting to and encouraging our leaders, we create a community that honours God’s leadership over us.
2. Our Relationship with Each Other
Within the church, we are called to a high standard of communal care:
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Live at Peace: A community that honours its leaders finds it more natural to live in harmony.
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Warn the Idle: Some in Thessalonica stopped working because they thought Jesus was returning “any second”. We must avoid the opposite extreme—living as if He is never coming back—and instead use our gifts to serve the community of Jesus.
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Help the Weak: We are called to support those who are physically or spiritually weak, even when “compassion fatigue” sets in.
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Be Patient: We must practice a long-suffering patience with everyone, regardless of their perceived progress.
3. Our Relationship with the World
Perhaps the hardest command is how we treat those outside the church: “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong”. The Thessalonians were facing actual persecution and social rejection. To not retaliate against those who had dragged them out of their homes or insulted their faith was a radical challenge.
Being ready for the Day of the Lord means choosing forgiveness over bitterness and actively seeking to do good to everyone—even our enemies.
4. Our Relationship with God
Finally, we prepare by pursuing the truth of the Gospel. We are told to:
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Rejoice always and pray continually.
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Test everything: We shouldn’t just accept any teaching; we must measure it against the truth of the Bible.
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Abstain from evil: Right knowledge of God should always lead to right living.
The Promise: He Will Surely Do It
If you read these instructions and feel overwhelmed, you are in good company. None of us can say we rejoice always or pray without ceasing perfectly.
But the Great Reassurance is this: “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will surely do it”. Ultimately, it is God who sanctifies us and keeps us blameless. Our confidence on the Day of the Lord doesn’t rest on our own performance, but on the fact that Jesus died and rose again to deliver us from the coming wrath.
Key Takeaways
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Preparation is Relational: We get ready for Jesus’ return by how we treat our leaders, our brothers and sisters, and our enemies.
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Forgiveness is Mandatory: Readiness for the Day of the Lord is incompatible with holding onto deep-seated bitterness or anger.
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God is the Finisher: While we strive for these “lofty standards,” we rely on the faithfulness of God to actually complete the work of change in us.
Reflection Questions
- Bitterness vs. Readiness: Is there a “wrong” someone has done to you—days or even decades ago—that you are still holding onto? How does the command to “not repay wrong for wrong” challenge you today?
- Honoring Leadership: How can you practically “hold your leaders in the highest regard” this week to help them in their work of caring for the church?
- Active Waiting: Are you more tempted to be “idle” (sitting back and waiting) or “distracted” (pretending Jesus isn’t returning)? How can you use your gifts more actively for the good of the community?