(1 Thessalonians 5:12-14 TNIV) Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
For the most part Christians who live in the United States have lost our God-given purpose but I can tell you that does not relieve us of our responsibility unto God and therefore I pray He awakens us. As followers of Jesus Christ the older are to instruct the younger and the younger are to respect their elders by listening and following their instructions as it aligns with the Word of God and apply it to their own lives and God-given dreams. It is the elder that has the heavier responsibility and it is the same that will be judge more harshly if this call is ignored but that does not relieve the younger from their responsibilities either – none are exempt and we all will give an account of the choices we make, not to man or man’s law but to God and on that day one cannot point to another and say it is because of him, no you alone will answer for your decisions!
At the core of America’s problems is a thread that is woven into everything we do – selfishness and pride. Selfishness pushes us onto the goals we set for ourselves and pride makes us believe obtaining those goals makes us better for it. Unfortunately, if we are not listening to God’s voice while we are working out our schemes, by the way ignoring our elders sets us up for ignoring God’s voice as well, then we will have spent our entire lives pursuing things that lead to spiritual death and destruction and that which we have worked so hard for will be viewed for what it is – worthless heaps horded by a hollow heart, for without Christ our plans will only bring sorrow and pain.
So much could be gained if we as a people would align ourselves with God’s precepts. God does not give instruction to punish us but instead to set us free from a life lived following after things that hold no spiritual value. It all starts at home – parents will you give up selfishness and pride so that your children may know God’s will? Children, will you do the same so that you may gain your parent's wisdom, that which was given to them by their parents? Obedience does not mean surrendering your hopes and dreams, your challenge is to learn from your parents and apply it to your own lives so that you can see above your peers as you stand on the shoulders of your parents. As parents there is no other pursuit in this life that will bring more joy than children who long for Christ Jesus to be present in every decision they make, who run to their Heavenly Father when you cannot be there for them. If this is what you want then replace selfishness and pride with holiness and edify one another, pushing one another on to the hope God has placed within them.
Edify – To instruct and improve the mind in knowledge generally, and particularly in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness. (Webster)
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