Wed., 10/19/16 Devotion (1 Thess. 5:15b)

Today's encouragement comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:15b, where we read these words:

" . . . but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all."

This is a very interesting text of Scripture. God would have us pursue what is good—this we readily understand; but He would have us do this "both for *ourselves*," as well as "for all." This seems a bit like the "airplane principle": "put your own mask on first, and then put it on the child next to you."

It makes sense: if we are not cognizant of the states of our own hearts, we can be of little good or use to anybody else. Are we faith-filled Christian churchmen today, trusting in Jesus? If so, then let us pursue what is good—both for ourselves, as well as everybody else.

[Puritan quote of the day: "You have heaven while you are on earth when you have a contented spirit; yea, in some regards it is better than heaven.”
—Jeremiah Burroughs, in, "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment"]