The fifth thing we can do in terms of ministry is not render evil for evil. Paul says, "See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all." It is possible that Paul has in mind here those false interlopers who were not only slandering his own name but were leading the Thessalonians astray. As the saints see the truth of the situation, they are not to render evil back for the evil that has been perpetrated upon them.

At the same time, it may be that all Paul gives here is general admonition. In either case, his point is the same. We are not to render evil for evil to anyone. We are not to take revenge. We are to leave that to the Lord. We are not to retaliate.

The sixth thing we can do in terms of ministry is pursue what is good. Paul does not stop with what we are not supposed to do. He gives us the positive dynamic or action on the other side. We are to "pursue what is good both for [ourselves] and for all." We are to keep up the chase in regard to that which is good. The good is whatever is good in the situation. It may be God's glory, it may be sanctification, it may be what is true, it may be what is wholesome, etc. We are to pursue the good thing for ourselves and all those whom God brings into our lives.

Fourth, we can do our part to develop and maintain a healthy church if we understand our benefits from the body of Christ. At least four beneficial implications can be gleaned from the foregoing. In doing our part, we will be bring much glory to the Lord, aid in the sanctification of others, watch unto our very own souls, and bear witness to Christ's changing power.

With Paul's teaching here, there is a sense in which we are getting a crash course in shepherding souls, biblical counseling, and/or pastoral discipleship. As we take his teaching to heart in these practical ways, we will not only reap the noted benefits, we will also be doing our part to develop and maintain a healthy church body for the glory of God and her joy in Him. Let us be about shepherding one another to and for the health of the church.

See also the latest entries on  Dr. Dean's blog.

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