I Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Our Family, the Family of God
The largest family I know could not fit in your minivan. In fact, it couldn’t fit into 2 minivans, a bus, or a parking lot because I’m talking about the family of God. Recently, I noticed how much the Bible makes reference to the family relationships of the family of God. In I Thessalonians 5 specifically, you find words like “brethren,” “brothers,” and “children.”
I Thessalonians 5:4 talks about “ye, brethren.” Again, in verses 12, 14, and 15, the Bible talks about what is to be done among ourselves, talking about a group or a family. In verses 25-27 the Bible talks about brethren. In verse 5 it says, “Ye are all the children of light.” This is speaking of the children of God.
Whatever you need to do in your life, you need to begin with your house, but don’t neglect the larger family, the family of God, that can help your house. I do believe that my home is of primary importance in my life, but I cannot honestly say that my family comes first if I am neglecting the family of God because that family can help my family. God has put me in this family, and the help I need comes from that family’s fellowship, instruction, and teaching. Church is important. Let the family of God edify the family in your house.
On the other hand, your family should edify the family of God. In I Thessalonians 5:12 it says, “And we beseech you brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.” He’s talking about people that teach, lead, and guide. The next verse says, “And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” We are to support, honor, and love those that guide us.
We are also to support one another. Verse 14 says, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly.” He is talking about the help we are to be to the family of God. In verse 25 it says, “Brethren, pray for us.” The sum and substance of this is, it may be a scary world, but it does not have to be a lonely one. God has given you His Spirit, His Word, and a church that can help and encourage you and where you can do the same for others.