“Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (v. 18)

This chapter (1 Thessalonians 4) teems with practical instruction.

Continue in sanctification. Cherish sexual morality. Love one another, as brothers and sisters in Christ. Do your work, walk humbly, and choose contentment.

We’re told to do these things, and do them even more. It’s a practical picture.

But that practical picture is framed entirely by spiritual truth.

We have hope, because we have Jesus. Death is no more. He is coming. He will call us home. While there are all these things we ought to do now and do even more, our everlasting reality is that we will always be with Him, by His grace.

We are not merely encouraged toward obedience in the Word. We are encouraged toward confidence.

“Therefore, encourage one another with these words.”

— Tyler