In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis compares relationships among human beings to a fleet of ships sailing in formation. We might also think of the tight patterns flown by brilliant pilots like the Blue Angels. There are two dimensions that make possible those clean smooth maneuvers in formation. Lewis says,
“The Voyage will be a success only, in the first place, if the ships do not collide and get in one another’s way; and, secondly, if each ship is seaworthy and has her engines in good order. As a matter of fact, you cannot have either of these two things without the other.”
In other words, smooth sailing (or flying) among human beings depends both on good internal order (i.e. personal morality or holiness) individually and on a collective, communal effort to stay in good order in relation to each other.
Our text last week from II Peter focused more on the first of these dimensions. This week’s text from Paul’s letter to Thessalonica, I Thessalonians 5:12-24 is more about the second, about how we are to be a community together in Jesus Christ. It’s about the community which is the Church.
Paul begins in verses 12 and 13 by urging respect for the Church’s leadership, which provides direction and admonishment for keeping the community in good order. Then in verses 14-22, he offers a seemingly haphazard list of directions for good interpersonal relationships in the church. Finally, in verses 23 and 24, he reminds us that we do not rely just on ourselves to accomplish good community, but that it is the work of God.
The list of directions is not as aimless as it seems. It bears many resemblances to directions given in the second half of Romans 12. Which indicates that Paul is actually offering a standard body of teaching for good conduct of church life together. He repeats what he must have taught over and over in many places about how brothers and sisters in Christ might best live and serve together.
Paul asks us to be patient and kind toward each other, while being unafraid to address admonishment (verse 12 and verse 14). He also calls for spiritual sensitivity that does not quench the work of God’s Spirit in our midst and the genuine prophetic proclamation of the Word in particular situations (verses 19 and 20).
Verse 22 suffers from a long-standing misunderstanding because of mistranslation in the King James Version, which reads, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” This has sometimes led to an excessive concern with appearances, which is not true to our Lord who ate with and befriended tax collectors, prostitutes and other sinners.
Context and other usage dictates the translation of verse 22 found in modern versions, “Abstain from every form of evil.” I.e., the community is only healthy when its members seek to be free from every kind of evil practice. C. S. Lewis’ picture is helpful again. A fleet sails in good order when individual ships are well-maintained, trying to correct any problem before it causes a vessel to conflict with others.
The Advent theme is stuck in verse 23 in Paul’s prayer that God will accomplish this work of individual holiness and good relationship in us in anticipation of the “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That’s how we want to be found when Jesus arrives, sailing well together in His direction.
Thanks be to God for the promise in verse 24, “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”