Checklist

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil. [1 Thessalonians 5.14-22]

What a checklist!

I suppose it is futile to "seek God's will" without first getting this list to to-do's right. Furthermore, I bet God's will would be much simpler for all of us if we just got this list Paul gave the Thessalonians right...

Notice that most of what Paul instructed them here was about their treatment of people! The Kingdom of God is about people!

Father, help us to take seriously what Paul laid out for the Thessalonians and Christians in general!