When I write a letter or an email, it typically closes with
“Blessings” and my name. Paul goes farther. He gives a blessing, but also three
appeals to the church in Thessalonica . . .
Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 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 5:25–28)
Prayer is his priority.
He could not survive in ministry without it. While he comes across as a spiritual
strong man, he needed the power of God to do the work of God. To the church at Ephesus,
he described the spiritual armor needed to be successful against our spiritual enemy
then tells them the victory is in . . .
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18–20)
He, a mighty leader,
needed their prayers for words and for boldness as he preached the gospel. How much
more do the rest of us need prayer support in whatever God assigns to us! The
reason is simple; we cannot do it (no matter what ‘it’ is) in our own strength.
We need the power of God.
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, (2 Corinthians 3:5)
Paul also talks
about greeting one another. In that culture, the men greeted the men with a kiss
on the cheek as did the women. This kiss was to be holy, not passionate
or fleshly. I know only one woman and her daughter who do this today. Others go
for the acceptable alternatives in our Western culture — either a hug, a touch on
the arm or back, or a handshake. The form of greeting is not important but the
doing of it is. Few Christians ignore this, but when it happens, I sometimes feel
unimportant, even invisible. Satan tries to use those feelings to lead me into
a pity-party rather than being focused on the Lord and on loving others.
Paul’s third exhortation at the end of this letter is that
it be read to everyone. The normal usage of the Greek word for “read”
(anagnōsthēnai) implies that it should be read aloud. A missionary says that in
illiterate cultures and even for most who can read, hearing the Word of God is
important. “Faith comes by hearing”
(Romans 10:17) as often suggested in the New Testament.
Not only that, Paul’s words are strong. He put his readers
under oath expressed by the words ‘enorkizō hymas’ also meaning ‘I charge you’ —
normally used with the idea that failure to do so would bring punishment or
discipline. In other words, Paul was stressing that reading this letter was very
important to God and to us. I’m so thankful that God’s Word is read aloud in
our church and that I or my computer can do that for me at home.
The letter ends with how it began. Paul says, “Grace
to you and peace” in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and ends with, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28)
In every letter, Paul refers to God’s grace in the benedictions.
Grace is given through our Lord Jesus Christ and in Him, we are blessed.
Sometimes I forget important truths. This letter ending helps me remember that God
wants me to know and experience the grace that He has given me.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, forgive me for the many times I’ve scanned
through the brief benedictions in Paul’s letters — Your letters to me — without
considering that You have not finished speaking. This one is rich in telling me
what is important to You and what ought to be more important to me. I’m also
reminded that You pray for me, You greet me in many ways with Your presence, You
speak to me through these letters written by Paul and inspired by Your Holy
Spirit and all that I have and believe is because of Your great grace. Again, I
worship and thank You for such undeserved goodness and blessing.
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