Verses 1-11
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The day of the Lord refers to the time surrounding Christ's return. Before Christ descends from heaven, there will be a time of judgment that will come suddenly and unexpectedly to unbelievers.
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This will come suddenly on unbelievers because they are living asleep and drunk—ignorant, distracted, and intoxicated with sin.
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As believers, since we walk in the light, we should be watchful and sober. How? Live for what's important, and be focused. Expect Christ's return at any moment, grow your faith, walk in love, and build up other believers (see Luke 12:35-48, 21:34-36).
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Verses 12-13
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Know who your leaders in the church are, and deeply respect them.
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You should know who your elders are, and they should know who you are.
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Verses 14-22
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These instructions are straightforward, and they have to do with Christian community. Do these things in order to effectively edify other believers and be at peace with them.
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Verse 14. On dealing with those who are unruly or non-submissive to leaders, see 2 Thessalonians 3.
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Verse 15. On upholding the weak, see Romans 14:1, Romans 15:1, 1 Corinthians 8:7, and Acts 20:35.
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Verse 19. Quenching the Spirit involves any way in which we do not hear, ignore, or disobey the words or influences of the Spirit in our lives.
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Obey your convictions—biblically consistent intuitions telling you to take certain actions or to avoid others.
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Verse 20-21. Don't think negatively about prophesying today. Simply test everything. Don't think that something is true until it is confirmed in the written Word.
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Also don't assume that a person is a believer until you can confirm it through observing the fruit of their words, beliefs, and actions.
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Don't receive someone in the fellowship of the church if they're not a believer.
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Verse 22. Avoid even the appearance of evil (see KJV). Not only avoid sin, but avoid situations that would make you appear as though you are participating in something sinful (Ephesians 5:11).
Verses 23-24
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God's work to sanctify us—to make us holy—is to make us sinless in every part of our being.
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Your spirit is perfect, your body is fallen, and your mind is weak unless renewed by reading the Word daily. And the more renewed your mind becomes, the more of God's sanctifying power you will experience.
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Daily renew your mind with the Word, and be careful to obey it with your body, and you will walk blamelessly.
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Verses 25-28
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Pray for believers, be affectionate to them, and read the Bible out loud with the church when you gather (Colossians 4:16).