Admonish, Encourage and Help

The People of God Set Priorities
Bearing One Another's Burdens
Consolation Granted through Prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 The Message

The Way He Wants You to Live

^12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

^13-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders ("idle and disruptive," NIV version) to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.
^16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
^19-22 Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

For Reflection

In short the will of God is for us to be supportive.  We are to warn (I prefer recommend.), encourage reach out to pull not push, patient, and attentive to needs.  Knee jerk reactions are to be avoided.  Instead, anticipate goodness.

Such action does not make one weaker, but, stronger in one's ability to help.  Being supportive does  not mean that one is unwilling to make judgments.  It means that the action on judgments is in the spirit of love, compassion and respect. 

Pray

for the wisdom to serve the Spirit in humility with love, compassion and respect.