God's People at Peace

Paul is full of instruction that will help the Thessalonian Christians, and us, to live well. How should we care for lazy people, disheartened or weak people? How should we respond to injustice? He speaks of joy as the centre from which all our actions spring, and of prayer and thanks which directs us to the source of our joy. He tells us to expect to hear God, and to be able to recognise and to hold on to what is good. In all of this he is calling them to live in peace with one another but his confidence for this sanctifying work is 'the God of peace'. This is why he can be so sure that what he asks them to do will happen.