Jesus told us that the essence of the Law is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves. But how do we put this love into practice in our daily lives, especially as we live with one another as a family of faith?

Well love for God of course means that we’ll seek to walk in the light of His truth rather than in the darkness of sin (v. 5) But love for God will also change our perspective, the way we look at even the most difficult circumstances of our lives (vv. 16-18). If we love God, of course we’ll pray about our problems rather than worry about them. And we’ll be able to keep a thankful, joyful heart no matter what happens, certain as we are of God’s love for us.

And such a foundation of love for God should lead us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. Such love means we’ll encourage those who are fainthearted and that we’ll seek to help the weak (v. 14). Moreover, true love naturally leads us to be patient even with those who disagree with us, and to seek peace within the Church, instead of lashing out at those who have hurt us (vv. 13-15).

But if we truly love our fellow Christians we will also seek to warn them when they are living in a way that is inconsistent with their profession of faith in Christ. Paul specifically mentions the sin of idleness in verse 14, but real love calls us to be honest with one another about all sorts of sins. For the sad fact is that sin is deceptive, and sometimes that means we need a fresh perspective to help us realize when we are getting off track. True love thus means being willing both to speak and to listen to such warnings.

So it is no wonder that Paul also urges his readers to love and respect the leaders of the Church, the elders who are chosen not only to teach the Word but to hold us accountable for following it (vv. 12-13). For if we are willing to follow the example of our leaders as they follow Christ, we’ll all be able to live more consistently according to God’s perfect law of love.

I Thessalonians 5:1-28 (ESV)

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies,
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 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.
24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.