Commands in Context
What is the motivation for obeying the commands of 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22? Do we just need to crank out obedience?
Graeme Goldsworthy would remind us not to view commands in isolation, but to recognize their gospel context. Obedience must flow from trust that all our legal requirements are fulfilled in Jesus. Otherwise, commands are used for moralizing, that is, legalism.
Besides the context of the whole letter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul has just said above in chapter five that wrath is soon coming on the world’s people. While they frivolously dwindle away their time, we can be sober (and must be) because “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him” (5:9-10). Only then does he infer, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (5:11).
So, what is Paul’s recent assumption as to why we can rejoice always? Because God has not destined us believers for wrath. How can we pray without ceasing? Because we now have constant access to God through Jesus. What motivates thanks in hard circumstances? We are one for all saved. With what words might we admonish the idle? Wrath is coming on the disobedient, but recognizing this and the salvation that is in Jesus enables sobriety about eternal matters and urgency about living productively for future joy (5:8). With what hope do we encourage the fainthearted? “Whether dead or alive, we will live with him” (5:10). Etc.
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