NT: First Epistle of Paul to Timothy, Chapter 2

I Timothy 2:1-15

2:1-2 Paul explains that in order for there to be widespread peace, all people must be prayed for, treated kindly and dealt with fairly. We cannot have categories of people to be kind and fair with for as we learned in Matthew 5:46, even the unkind are friendly with the people they like and agree with.

What is beautiful and amazing about God's children is that they are so abundantly full of His love and kindness, they have enough to share with even the people outside of their circle. A peaceful and quiet life is a life which consists of peace and serenity in all moments, with all people, regardless of vexing external factors (bad moods, bad habits, bad weather, bad lunches, etc).

It absolutely requires practice. Implementing patience in your life is work in the beginning. Implementing kindness for all is also work because we do not always feel that people deserve our kindness. God encourages us to be kind to all not just for their betterment but for our own. When we are internally serene we feel better, think more clearly and behave kindly. God encourages us to pray for all people; He knows that sometimes other people are wrong and/or cruel and He does not ask us to be kind to them to absolve them...but because kindness leads to growth and edification, growth and edification leads to resolution, peace and quiet.

2:3-4 It is good to pray for everyone because God's intention is that we all receive His love and guidance. Your prayer creates a tether between a person and God. God does not act in your life without your permission, if you permit Him to help another, you are working with Him on behalf of others.

2:5-6 When you pray for a person, you allow this philosophy brought by Jesus (the mediator between God and humanity) to reach that person. Prayer for others allows instruction and love to come into their lives and help, align and direct them toward a better life.

2:7 Paul explains that the aforementioned is his purpose in life (and it can be yours). You were created and place here with the potential to be impactful. Be true and honest, let the way you live your life teach others of compassion, humility and diligent work.

2:8 Therefore, says Paul, focus. Dedicate yourself to true, pure faith. Disentangle yourself from gossip and argumentative disagreement and just focus on your potential and purpose here.

2:9-10 Paul's advice here is a bit metaphorical: instead of living ostentatiously, live humbly. Let your most attractive feature be your compassion, wisdom, honesty, hard-work and faith. You are more than a body, you are a soul. Adorn your soul with beauty (goodness) and disregard the modern conceptions of beauty of the outside, physical body.

2:11 This is a mistranslated verse. Paul is saying to allow women to learn in a quiet atmosphere. Because Paul specifically references women, we can guess that in the context of his time, gender roles were undergoing some adjustment. 

2:12 These next few verses are fumbled quite a bit as in other places in the Bible women are indeed teachers and have authority in faith (Example these verses specifically highlight women of faith: Deborah in Judges, Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17).

2:13-14 Men and women were made from the same helix curve (although mistranslated as "rib" in Genesis) therefore making them equal. Also misrepresented is the Genesis story because Adam as well as Eve was deceived (more on that figurative story when we begin study of the Old Testament).

God's create of men and women explains to us that souls are gender-less (and see also: Matthew 22:30). God loves His children without partiality (Romans 2:11).

2:15 Women have the very important spiritual, yes spiritual work of growing children and thus bringing new souls into the world. Part of mother's (and father's) mission here is to cultivate faithful, compassionate, generous child-rearing. Unfortunately we have to consider the context of Paul's time in these verses, where women did not have equal status with me. Yet, we cannot mistake these poorly translated verses to express the beliefs of the entire Bible because women have had, do have and will always have important work to do with God.

NT: First Epistle of Paul to Timothy, Chapter 1

I Timothy 1:1-20

1:1-2 Paul begins an epistle this time to an individual: Timothy, a fellow apostle. Timothy began as a child with Paul as his spiritual teacher. Timothy was so dedicated a student to Paul that Paul refers to him affectionately here as a son. The name Timothy, or "Timotheos" means: Honoring God. In this book, Paul explains to Timothy (and us) the message of this philosophy with instructions on how to apply it to our lives and to any churches we may build and maintain in its name.

A series of hopeful prayers from Paul for Timothy and for all of God's children (that means you!).

• Grace From God: That this life run smoothly and wisely along the figurative river of this philosophy.
• Mercy From God: That God find forgiveness and give empathy to His fallible but well-meaning children.
• Peace From God: That internally and externally serenity surround us, enabling us to be comforted, happy, hopeful, faithful, observant and brave.

1:3-4 It is imperative that the core message of this faith is preserved and exemplified. Paul cautions of entanglement, the mixing of the core values of this faith with other ideologies. The core of this faith is compassion, justice, truth and wisdom. Paul reminds us to never become blinded or misdirected by ideologies that are only superficially linked to this one.

The health and well-being of all of humanity is dependent on our ability to cultivate the aforementioned compassion, justice, truth and wisdom. Paul is aware of how frequently it happens and therefore reminds us to never become distracted by people, ideas and institutions with corrupted or hypocritical motives. Many in the world use religion as a vehicle to gain their own wealth, fame and power. Paul reminds us to be vigilant for these things.

1:5 In this verse Paul makes known to us (if we did not already know or guess) the intention of God's plan: Love. Love is a natural teacher. When we love a thing, animal or person, we automatically dedicate ourselves to their well-being. Love takes care of the life within living things, animals and people. God wants us to understand that if we all learn to love all, we will fulfill every need in the world with joy and health.

Paul also gives us the equation: Pure Heart + Good Conscience + Sincere Faith = Love. Meaning that when we walk through life with a pure heart (good intention), good conscience (contentment from doing and being our best), and sincere faith (trusted instruction from God) we journey toward love.

1:6-7 The Bible reiterates that we must be consistent in our faith, works, words, thoughts and actions. People become distracted or lazy and it leads to ignorance, apathy, lethargy and ultimately selfishness which leads to greed and evil. 

We are told an almost uncountable amount of times to test our teachers' and religious leaders' authenticity. Paul explains that people (and authoritative figures of religion) lose the core concepts of this philosophy and commit contradictory crimes against it. For example: ostentatious celebrations, accumulation of wealth, breaches of authority, superiority, fear-mongering and hypocrisy. 

Timothy is a fellow-worker with God. Timothy teaches God's word and Paul implores and instructs Timothy to always hold onto the core concepts of this faith as he does so. This is a humble and hard-working faith and as students and children of it, we must live up to its standards and good, honest and generous character.

1:8-11 At this conception of this philosophy of faith in the world, there become a struggle between law and faith. Paul explains that law is not to be abandoned, for it protects the core concepts of faith. Law is meant to be used to reign in the unkind and unjust. Law is not meant to control the kind and just. 

1:12 Although there are many of them, perhaps Paul's greatest characteristic is his humble faith. Paul never stops feeling blessed, lucky, overjoyed to be a participant and propeller of God's compassion. Paul is so awed by God's love and His plan for the world that he feels honored to be a part of it. Let yourself bask in the same glory, for although God not may have your complete trust... you have His. He placed you down here because He believed that you deserved and were capable of this great opportunity. 

1:13 God welcomes and encourages you toward joining Him despite any flaws you might have or mistakes you may have made. He trusts you among His family and with His heart... is there any greater trust than that?

1:14 Paul explains what happened to him and what will happen to you when you follow, trust and love God: His grace is poured out on you abundantly. His faith is poured out on you abundantly. His love is poured out on you abundantly.

1:15-16 Paul uncovers and explains God's plan through Paul for His children: God's wholehearted hope is that every one of His children knows and feels that He is accessible to them. In order to get that message across, God reached out to Paul, a former persecutor of this faith and welcomed him into the family. What worse can you do than go directly, vehemently against God and His philosophy? Yet Paul found redemption and peace and purpose in God and now lives as a testimony of God's mercy and love for all souls.

Those who see God's immense patience might be encouraged to believe in His plan of compassion and therefore would make the personal decision walk through the door of eternal life. Compassion is the secret password, so to speak, the admittance fee. Paul found compassion within himself, began to live and love and breathe and work for this faith and he therefore "paid" his admittance fee.

1:17 A description of our God: Kind, Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, Only, Honorable, Glorious. You can certainly trust your life with an entity like that.

1:18 Paul writes to Timothy to encourage and reinforce his good work and good faith in that he may "fight the battle well." And isn't that what we all want to be able to manage to do? To fight in the battle against injustice as a competent and courageous victor. To do this, we need God and we have Him when we are consistent in our faith and compassion.

1:19 Paul reminds Timothy (and us) that lose of faith is like a shipwreck. We are vessels moving throughout the earth like ships and God is our sail. Many have discarded the Sail of their ship (let go of God, compassion and justice) and have thereby decreased the quality of their lives. Maintain your Sail, Paul cautions and encourages... it will make all the difference.

1:20 God allows for the repercussions of our own decisions. When we give into evil and unkindness, evil and unkindness become our masters. Paul hands the evil over to these masters (Satan, the qualities and manifestations of greed, selfishness, evil, vengeance, violence, injustice) in that because they chose to be servants of these things, it is allowed.

NT: Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 3

II Thessalonians 3:1-18

3:1 In the chaos of your personal, daily life, remember to pray also for this philosophy. Pray for faith to have the opportunity to change the lives of others.

3:2 Pray for goodness to have strength over evil. In the previous chapter we spoke of this world being an opportunity, a freedom to become who we are. Not everyone chooses to be good (generous, compassionate, fair) and therefore pray for those who do. Pray that they may excel in their work. We are God's eyes and ears down here, His instruments. He can do so much through us! 

3:3 Our God is faithful to you. Our God will strengthen you. Our God will protect you. He is our spiritual nourishment. Remember, He is your reinforcement, your Pillar in every and any tribulation 2 Corinthians 12:8-10:

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

3:4 Paul had confidence in the Thessalonians for their consistent, generous, faithful work. The apostles demanded that students of this philosophy were good, patient, kind, honest. This faithful work indeed demands that we are our best selves. We represent this faith, our behavior should encourage people toward its qualities of justice and compassion.

3:5 This is a beautiful prayer from Paul for the Thessalonians and all of God's children: may He guide our souls with His love. May He strengthen us in perseverance, the ability to survive and thrive, learn and grow and accomplish. 

3:6 Paul instructs us on how to maintain our faith. It is important that we cultivate compassion, generosity, honesty. It is important that we express and project truth and faith. What is also important is that we observe the people who are around us. We must ensure that we are not allowing ourselves to be influenced by a negative or stagnant environment. This philosophy must be alive in your life in every moment. Supporting you, guiding you, comforting you and yes, correcting and edifying you.

We break good habits when we are not consistent with our behavior. Idleness is neglecting to do the right thing or say the right thing when you are in the perfect place and time to say or do it. Disruptive is ignoring or contradicting God's compassionate will. We are not perfect; we frequently make mistakes but when we try God ensures that our errors propel us by teaching and growing our character.

3:7 Let people's behavior teach you about who they are and how authentic they are. The apostles were humble, hard-working and faithful in every moment. Follow good examples and if you think you have none, refer to this book (it's full of good example!).

3:8 Paul wants to ensure that we never become arrogant or feel entitled. No matter who you are, no matter how kind or faithful or successful or beautiful, do your part here on earth. We are the implements of justice and we must fulfill our potential and our purpose.

The apostles earned their every meal and they never stopped working selflessly. God wants us to work and use our hands and minds if we can (it is so good for us!).

3:9-10 The apostles were especially hard-working because they understood that they represented the faith. This is a faith of workers with God, I Corinthians 3:9. We are here and we have responsibility... we are given to in order that we may give (rather than pile wealth in our bank accounts and arrogant pride in our hearts).

3:11-12 Be busy with being a good person. Uphold standards for yourself and do not waste your time not meeting them.

3:13 Continue to let faith and nature inspire you to be your best self. If the circumstances of the world or your life start to make you feel weary or tired, delve into this book. Delve into your spirit. There you will find God waiting to lift you up and light you up again in strength and perseverance.

3:14-15 Paul refers to the people whose philosophy of life is fundamentally opposite ours (opposite, not different). Any faith that teaches goodness is not an enemy. Yet disassociate from negative institutions, people and atmospheres. Good and evil naturally separate if we use our discernment.

God does not want us to be hateful. Do not have enemies or arguments... simply separate yourself from things, ideas and people you do not agree with. Let them observe your example from afar. The example of how you live your life.

3:16 Beautiful prayers from Paul on our behalf (You have these, these blessings were prayer for for you, acknowledge and accept them):

• May the lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.
• The Lord be with you all.

3:17-18 Signed authentically by Paul sealed with a final blessing of grace.

NT: Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 2

II Thessalonians 2:1-17

2:1-2 Paul cautions the Thessalonians not to be persuaded by deceivers about well, the end of the world. It's no surprise that Paul felt he had to address this issue because throughout history, masses of people have been ruled through fear by corrupt, fear-mongering institutions and people.

It is likely true that all humans contemplate the trajectory of humanity's life and time on earth. Whether we find it, understand it or accept it, God does have a meticulous plan for us. How we interpret His word is our personal, spiritually business and Paul is going to lay out some information to help you do so.

2:3 Two important things to remember from this verse (immediately) 1) Paul is not trying to instill fear in you and 2) he is not giving new information, this account of "end times" (times as we know them now) has been written in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament even before here in Thessalonians. For example: The Book of Isaiah 14 and of course, The Book of Revelation.

To understand the end, we must understand the beginning. Humanity was placed here on earth to create themselves under the conditions of complete freedom. The year, decade, day, minute, second you were conceived began your phase of this classroom. For God to give complete freedom, He had to allow people to make their own choices. Unfortunately, when you let people make their own choices, they do not always choose well or compassionately. God is going to allow this freedom on earth so that we can establish ourselves in authenticity. We get to choose who we are and what our values are without being under the thumb of divine-authority.

Therefore the end must be the culmination of choice; once the phases of earthly life are completed, everyone will have already chosen. The ultimate confrontation will be justice against injustice. Paul speaks of a person, a manifestation of a soul which chooses injustice every time. This person will cause a worldwide rebellion... but wait, this rebellion will be deceptively peaceful.

Essentially this person who is 1) a manifestation of evil, 2) an institution and possibly a 3) government or some kind of ordered system, will challenge God. How so? Well, this soul hopes to turn God's children away from His presence and truth and redirect it to himself. This person (and their system) can only achieve if we do not pay attention to prophecies events. 

The reason you do not have to be afraid is because 1) You cannot be harmed, 2) The person does not win 3) You are prepared, 4) the challenge is deceptive and will appear peaceful* and 5) it is not a monster who is coming to us, it is a "beautiful" person (charismatic, handsome). Reference: The Book of Ezekiel 28 for more about this particular soul often referred to as Satan, Lucifer, Dragon, Antichrist...etc.

*An evil soul cannot capture God's children's attention and admiration with evil acts, not at the forefront. He's going to be positive, helpful, altruistic... and though he will not be given the chance by God, after his deceptive acts he would rule and harm with his true, evil character.

Paul explains that the last day of life on earth for humanity (as it is now) will not occur until the aforementioned takes place. History has shown us that evil, deceptive souls are capable of worming their way into positions of power (numerous infamous dictators, for example, took over countries with false smiles, false promises, and corrupt intentions). This is the reason why the Bible always implores us to never be deceived... because deception is the door through which evil frequently enters. 

Perhaps this is not a specific enough date to satisfy your curiosity. As God's children we must learn to employ patient hope and trust. What needs to happen will happen when it needs to happen. Watch the figurative temperature of the world, be vigilant, you will recognize signs of prophecy in the Bible. (Example: Isaiah 3:4 prophecies childish politicians, and I think we can all agree we can check that one off the list!) 

The upshot is that evil is (for a time) allowed to manifest here... but only so that people can create and show their true character freely. Whether evil as this ultimate foreshadowed figure or evil as in the everyday unjust actions we witness and hear about, we need to be vigilant and prepared against it. If the end of the world is in 6 minutes or 6 million centuries, we have the same mission and responsibility here: To thwart injustice. To promote justice. Large scale and small.

2:4 This person gains the world's trust. We do not quite know exactly how but from Paul's wording we can guess that this person will do so through a religious or spiritual institution. Perhaps climbing the ranks in politics... it does not matter, as God's children we will recognize his truth because we are vigilant and prepared.

When I first studied this topic of end times and The Deceiver I wondering how one man could entertain the entire world and gain the whole world's trust. Well, in desperate times people look for a hero... and this person will come swooping in just in time to be that "hero" for the world. He will make promises that you can purchase with your worship of him. Remember, his goal is to trick God's children... and he will have the tools to easily trick the unprepared (more in verse 9).

2:5 "Don't you remember...?" Paul asks the Thessalonians and us. Isaiah 43:26 is God speaking to us imploring us to remind Him of all His promises to us. He says this not because he forgets but because we do. We forget how much He offers us... all of this information, all of His love and guidance and protection. We must remember in order to strengthen and expand that tunnel of faith, that trusting tunnel through which His love, protection, guidance and wisdom comes.

2:6 These events (just like all things) occur at very precise and specific times. There is an ordered timeline that maybe we do not understand but God does.

2:7 Paul informs us that this person's work is already manifesting in the world. Well, this is not too surprising because we know evil and injustice is here sometimes. This person is going to be thorough; he craves power and trickery and will perform this ruse perfectly.

The angel holding Satan back is Michael, The Book of Daniel 12:1-2.

A key message in this verse... this deceiver is taken out of the way and also is reigned in by God. You and I get complete freedom but this person already had complete freedom, chose evil and therefore does not any longer have complete freedom to do what he wants. This person gets a small amount of time which will allow God's children to identify themselves... those who paid attention. It also allows those who did not pay attention (maybe no fault of their own) to see Good and Evil juxtaposed and to finally choose a side...

2:8... For the deception will be uncovered by God, and all of the world will finally see and understand the plan, the deception and the truth. Injustice will be overthrown and we will graduate from this classroom.

Do not miss that Paul described this person's arrival on earth as a "splendor"; he is going to appear to be awesome, incredible... but underneath all of the false brilliance is true, pure evil. Beyond trying to trick humanity, he cannot actually enforce his evil plans, Luke 21:18.

2:9 Paul is explaining this person's (Satan's, if you will) characteristics. This person works through elaborate deception. This person likes to trick you with his beauty and wisdom and power. Therefore expect, rather than a monster or miserable entity) a beautiful, convincing, seemingly competent leader and figure.

This person uses SIGNS and WONDERS to trick you. I spoke of myself as a youth learning about this topic and I wondered how one person could capture the world. Well, between global social media and divine acts of wonders in the world, I now believe it can be done so rather easily!

2:10 The only way a soul is deceived is if that soul did not seek and investigate truth. Even an atheist understands the concept of Good and Evil... seek and explore Goodness and it will lead you to vigilant, wise truth. A person might not know a supreme deceiver is coming specifically, but a wise person has a chance to see beyond the mask. A child of God will certainly seek beyond the mask.

2:11-12 God has created a system where only the people who knew better and followed Satan are sentenced to be extinguished out of life. The aloof are saved by His generous heart and will be able to choose a side (fully informed because of His coming). God wants His children to live, to always have His life within their souls. For the people whose heads spirituality goes right over, the people who will unknowingly support this deceptive man, God gives a chance at redemption, a chance at choosing Good and Truth.

2:13-14 Paul is thankful for the participating members of the establishment of this philosophy of life. This philosophy was new to humans and Paul is thankful for the early work of those who helped it to prosper.

2:15 Paul urges them (and us!) to be consistent in our faith. Be bold in faith. Be trusting in faith. But above all be consistent, never wander away, not for a minute. Do not be snatched away by laziness or apathy or selfishness, anger or fear... God is with you and when you remain with Him nothing bad can ever overtake you.

2:16-17 What can be said here that is not beautifully apparent? "16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."

NT: Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 1

II Thessalonians 1:1-12

1:1-2 A peaceful and faithful greeting from Paul and the apostles to the Thessalonians for the second time.

1:3 For Paul and the apostles, there is nothing to do but give thanks to God for the faithful, compassionate work of the Thessalonians. We are inspired by our faith to be generous humans and the display of happiness and justice created by our work truly does reverberate around the earth.

1:4 The apostles are proud of the Thessalonians for cultivating and maintaining this ability: Patience and Faith in all persecutions and tribulations. Such are the tools required to survive, and even thrive in, life. The equation: Patience + Faith. We read that, we hear that, we understand that, we believe that but do we employ it in our actual lives? In each moment. It can be difficult (and especially at first). To persevere through those moments of doubt and difficulty we have to search for and then firmly demand patience within ourselves. Once we do that, we count on hope to keep our patience in place. We must force ourselves to remember that we are not alone even when we feel that way; we are not helpless; we are not lost; we are not irredeemable. Our faith allows us to hope, to believe that feeling better, doing better, and achieving are inevitable for us as God's children.

The circumstances of our lives may change with things and people entering and exiting it. Patience hope and faith allow us to accept those changes as elements of this classroom working to grow us (our character) and our spirituality. God is not going to leave any voids in your life, if something or someone leaves a space, it is because He has something else (better for you) planned for that spot.

I am reminded of this Rumi poem:

The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
— Rumi

1:5 The evidence of us being God's children is our confrontation against injustice and difficulty. Here on earth is an opportunity to learn about tribulation and thereby the purity and necessity of justice and compassion and perseverance.

1:6 God is looking out for you. He's observing how you are treated and cared for. If people are not treating you with the respect and kindness that you give them, He will personally seek out your justification.

1:7 He is our resting place. Our suite in Him is perfectly outfitted, tailored to our needs and happiness. It is our responsibility to walk into that spiritual room and accept the rest.

1:8-9 When humanity as we know it graduates from this classroom, God and His fellow-workers are going to ensure that evil and all of its formed are permanently, eternally destroyed (no rising from the embers). 

1:10 Along with the joy of permanent destruction of evil is the joy of being with our compassionate Creator. Having remained with Him all along, His brilliance is all the more bright because we recognize Him as home, finally, eternally. We get to be in the presence of the entity who arranged our happiness, spiritual nourishment and survival here.

1:11 Be worthy of compassion by being compassionate, fulfilling our Creator's intention and hope for humanity and all life.

1:12 Let Spirit's work reflect our own work here... and let our own work reflect Spirit. In different manifestations of life we are kin, fellow-workers, loved and guided.

NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 5

I Thessalonians 5:1-28

5:1 Let's briefly talk about the times and the seasons of the culmination of this life. The Thessalonians do not need this reminder and neither do we, as we have been taught about this in previous chapters (particularly the Gospel chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

5:2 The day of the Lord is God's day of gathering His children here on earth. It shall come as quietly and stealthily as a thief would enter a slumbering home. God isn't one for operatic displays; nature is logical, pithy, and modest. Therefore we need not worry about an explosive or dangerous ending. 

5:3 Perhaps unsurprisingly, humanity meets its end here at the height of our slumber. A faux peace will spread across the globe, a peace designed and maintained by deceptive corruption. Perhaps we can already relate to such a circumstance. Our global reality today is comprised of countries once thriving and rising, facing now a slowing down of production and limitations in capacity.

Paul's reference to labor pains is figurative, like the birth of a human, the birth of a new age experiences similar quakes before growth. We cannot escape the next phase of life (and we would not want to).

5:4 Yet the spiritual children of God, those who have contemplated their souls and life within compassion and are therefore observant and perceptive will never be caught off guard. Informed, God's children welcome and are prepared for every phase of life.

5:5 Children of light and children of day, meaning children of: peace and clarity, joy and truth.

5:6 Therefore value your unhampered consciousness. We are meant to watch the events of globe because despite human-drawn geography lines, we are an interconnected manifestation of life. What happens to one of us effects all of us. Moreover, the events of the globe happening to humanity help us to understand who we are and our purpose here. Awareness grows our compassion and our compassion supports life.

5:7 Paul is relating lethargy, apathy, ignorance and inebriation with darkness. To imbibe is a selfish act, your altered state of mind might bring false and temporary contentment but disallows you to be present, focused and productive.

5:8 Those who are awake are able to prepare themselves to fill their potential and impact on the earth. Those who are awake are protected by their faith because faith in soul and heart provides courage and compassion (the "breastplate" so to speak). Those who are awake are protected by love and hope because a mind focused with love and hope inspires purpose and purpose allows change, growth and achievement (the "helmet" so to speak).

5:9 We were created and placed here experience the purest forms of compassion, faith and joy. We were not created or placed here to be vengeful, impatient, or greedy... and yet so  many give their energy to that negativity.

5:10-11 Paul encourages us to love life here, to utilize this opportunity in conjunction with our faith and talents to promote happiness while we are here. To reach the high branches of compassion, to lift and enable others to do the same. Through this compassionate philosophy of life we are meant discover and follow the road to our spiritual come.

5:12 Notice and be respectful of the people around you who are trying and are working better themselves and lives of the people around them (that should cover quite an amount of people). Paul 

5:13 Paul speaks to the Thessalonians and implores them to support the apostles and people around them who are upholding this (during their present time) budding faith. The foundation of this imploration is that we must be grateful for workers of good and peace. As we know, their (our) job is not always or even frequently easy.

5:14 This verse begins a series of faithful directives from Paul. When Paul gives advice, it is meant to provide comfort and guidance to us. Navigating life can sometimes be difficult, but is always doable through faith. Here is how to find, keep and maintain sanity:

• Warn Those Who Are Unruly: Never let evil go unchecked. If you witness an unjust action, thwart it. Speak against it. Make a plan to fundamentally dismantle it. Extinguish it with your just behavior and values.
• Comfort The Fainthearted: The meek and the sensitive require support. Perhaps you have personally experienced such a time but sometimes humans need a safe haven (literally and figuratively). If someone requires a skill or a opportunity that you possess, share with them.
• Uphold The Weak: Speak for those without a voice; demand justice on their behalf until they are able to do so themselves.
• Be Patient With All: Understand that this life on earth is a classroom... and we are dropped right into advanced lessons. Not everyone is focused, not everyone is necessarily succeeding in bettering themselves... be patient with them. Growth requires patience and time. Sometimes patience is being a living example and allowing people the time to subconsciously observe and learn from your kindness. Be patient with all walks of life (whatever hinders a person, allow them your patience so that they overcome it).

5:15

• Let No One Render Evil: You were given a brain, hands, and a voice. Use them for good. Do not allow abuse of any kind to thrive under your watch. If you have an opportunity to be a powerful wedge between a victim and an abuser, do so.
• Always Pursue What Is Good For All: If you are in the midst of a difficult decision, choose the option that best accommodates the most circumstances. In other words, do not be so selfish that it causes detriment to others.

5:16

• Rejoice Always: Work to always keep the truth of the inevitability of your unification with God at the forefront of your mind and soul. We journey toward Him, and the brilliant, blessed prospect of being with our comforter can coax and lift us through our tribulations along the way. More than even that, look for joy in life here on earth for we are surrounded by miracles: smiles on children, wind through trees, a turning planet positioned expertly to support life.

5:17

• Pray Without Ceasing: Never break your connection with God; relationships require communication. Your faith is your line of sustenance. He can only nourish you if you give him permission and the space to do so. Permission comes from your faith (wholehearted belief), space comes from your wholehearted trust. Constant prayer also helps you to analyze your own life, to contemplate your emotions and hopes in a quiet, private place with an unbiased listener Who loves you.

5:18

• In Everything Give Thanks: Exercise gratitude. Express gratitude. Find wonder in the world and be awed and grateful at your chance to view all of these manifestations of life. Acknowledge what you do have and be thankful for its existence and presence in your life. Humans sometimes have a tendency to take inventory of what they do not have and that distracts them from recognizing and utilizing blessings that are already right in their lap.

5:19

• Do Not Quench the Spirit: Let spirituality thrive in all of its forms. Any display of faith is blessed and a gift to the world, no matter which avenue it came from. Most the world believes in God... the same God, only our descriptions of Him are different. Every kindness is a living manifestation of Spirit and therefore create conditions for kindness rather than ruining or disallowing them (quenched the Spirit).

5:20

• Do Not Despise Prophecies: Allow the earth and humanity to take its course. Find, rather than apathy, acceptance of the world as it unfolds. For certain things must be (Matthew 24:6, Mark 13:7, and Luke 21:19) but our presence here is not without effect. Everyone here has free will, we cannot change that even when people abuse theirs. Once we accept that, we also must acknowledge our own free will, purpose and potential here. We have a part in this course of life; let it also unfold.

5:21

• Test All Things: Determine if there is authenticity in all things and people. Be observant, use your God-given ability to discern. Test yourself, are you authentic? Never be a hypocrite or allow a hypocrite to influence you.
• Hold Fast (Tightly) What Is Good: Support good things, good people, good opportunities... give them the space to develop, grow and prosper. Never take for granted good things in your life; ensure that they will always have you as their pillar. Ensure goodness as your foundation, the thing which roots you to life.

5:22

• Abstain From Every Form of Evil: Do not waste any time on evil acts: acts of injustice, greed, vengeance, hatred. None of those things progress you toward happiness or even contentment and are therefore pointless, fruitless. If you do not cloud your life's journey with these things, only clarity will be in your view. You will leave clear, pure space for good to come and find a home in your life.

5:23 Paul begins to close his first epistle to the Thessalonians: May your entire being live and thrive innocently in His peace.

5:24 He who calls you to acknowledge and claim your place and purpose in the world will not only do His selfless part, but will also help you to do yours.

5:25 Pray for us. Pray for others, pray for goodness. You are God's living eyes and ears and hands down here, communicate to Him the needs you observe in the world so that He can help you to fill them.

5:26 Greet all with faith and kindness and respect. Your temperament and how you express yourself is a message to the world.

5:27 Spread this philosophy of life to those who will listen carefully and objectively to it. A wise person listens to and observes all material, seeking truth and authenticity before making an decisions.

5:28 And indeed, the grace of the manifestation of compassion, truth, humility and love be with you. Amen.

NT: First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians, Chapter 4

I Thessalonians 4:1-18

4:1-2 We are urged to abound, to grow without ceasing in faith and compassion. Along the path of abounding in faith and compassion are the cobblestones laid down and cemented for us to follow. The lives of the apostles exemplify for us a way to use our tribulation for our betterment. Instead of just enduring life, we learn and grow from our experiences within it, and thus abound, in spiritual wisdom.

4:3-5 The hope of our creator is that we respect ourselves and others, that we love ourselves and others. His hope is that we remove the figurative uncleanliness (greed, unkindness, violence) from our character, our thoughts, our action, our lives, our souls.

Possess your own vessel... cultivate your soul. Understand yourself as a mini-universe; you are a miracle. Find humility in the fact that this infinite, complex system of life has made a space for you. Take control and responsibility of who you are. Harbor good thoughts, produce kind efforts, express compassionately. You are yours, take care of what you own.

4:6-8 Remember that the aforementioned truth is true for all individuals. Never thwart or hinder another person's ability or environment to cultivate themselves. This birth right of personal freedom and love is intended by God to reach all people. More than just breaking laws, cultural norms, or even hearts, evil acts defy God.

4:9-10 In Matthew 22:36-40 we are taught that it is most important for us to love others. Paul's advice for us to never cap our compassion. We are given to in order that we may give; our blessings are meant to help us become strong and brave and compassionate and to pass that on. Paul implores us to always continuing giving and loving. There are no quotas, love derived from God is infinite in abundance.

4:11 Life advice from Paul on how to never lack anything through faith and to simultaneously send a  life message of faith, strength, and love to the people around you:

• Lead a Quiet Life: in order to cultivate contemplative, observant, perceptive, objective habits. If you are not making too much noise, you will be able to listen. When we listen, we learn. When we learn, we grow. As we grow in spiritual wisdom, we become humble, awestruck by the wondrous miracle of all life and universe around us. We need not make noise; our objective is to make, create, positive energy, opportunity, justice, freedom, love, health... all of those things we bring into the world through a quiet and studious lifestyle
• Mind Your Own Business: in order to focus on edifying yourself. When we are giving our attention to other people's flaws, talents, achievements and failures, we are not giving attention to our own. We have potential to be purposeful, impactful here but it is wasted when we spend our lives gossiping about and judging other people. 
• Work With Your Own Hands: in order that you always understand the value of hard work. Be responsible. Do not be too proud to use your hands. Work ethic builds character, teaches humility, responsibility, the value of creation. You never want to lose touch from your humanity, many have and subsequently cause much suffering in the world.

4:12 Indeed, live quietly. Let your actions speak. You are a living, breathing example of your values.

4:13 Paul's intention here is to inform us, awaken us. Paul extracts us from our everyday, routine reality and holds us on the precipice of the earth. Look, he implores, at all of your potential here. Look deeper, broader, spiritually... there is more to this life than is realized. Never live without hope or even without wonder because this life was created with those exact elements.

4:14 This philosophy of life whispers to us throughout our lives, beckoning us to wake up from our sleep. Jesus is the manifestation of compassion, live, love, truth, wisdom, humility and servitude. Wake up and work, rest comforted by, inspired by those manifestations in the earth.

4:15 There is no partiality with God. He loves and is grateful for His children... we each provide Him happiness when we work with Him to provide happiness to others. The apostles are not in an exclusive club that you cannot enter. God's children hope to unite with the whole spiritual family, not to climb a hierarchical ladder and earn special favors. God loves even the children who do not awaken to spirituality... He has a tender spot in His heart for them because they need Him so yet never reach out and realize Him.

4:16 Eternal life from God is inevitable for all who, when they realize He truly exists, want to life according to His compassionate philosophy of life. Finding and adopting spirituality on the earth is indescribably helpful to us on earth and God cherishes that we found Him while here: John 20:29. But for all of the doubting Thomas', you will eventually (in Spirit, after life on earth) receive your tangible proof of His existence... and when you do, it's not too late to accept your place in His family.

4:17 God will gather those who are lost, because they need Him and because He has to provide them the opportunity, once and for all, to join in accordance with His and His will. Immediately afterwards, God gathers those who have already tethered themselves to Him in love and faith. The children who have had patient hope, because we know that He will always be there for us.

4:18 Uphold those who will watch and listen with a life exemplifying the truth of these words.