A Perfect World

Have you ever wondered what a perfect world might look like? Read the verses below to catch a glimpse of such a life. Take verse 13 for instance, "Live in peace with each other." Many of us enjoy this existence now, but there was a time when peace was anything but the rule of the day.  So much strife and worry had a hold of hearts that hadn't been properly introduced to Jesus.

Why, just this evening I was reminded of a time in my life when I enjoyed conflict and jumped at the chance to share a disparaging word about someone if it would take the heat off of me. My neighbor was relating some neighborhood gossip about new folks who moved in down the street. Of course she heard it from the woman across the way. I tried to brush it off, but she persisted, forcing me to call that behavior - gossip.

The ending portion of verse 15 reads: "...but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." The role of a disciple of Jesus Christ is to do the things that He did and say the things that He said. As we practice this style of living, we truly do live. There is peace, joy and harmony. People change when we treat them as Jesus would. People love us back when we love them as Jesus does.

Verses 16-18 are three of my favorites.  "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

So, what does your perfect world look like? Are there some verses you would like to share that can point out even more of what is in store for us when Christ returns.  Our world cannot be perfect until that time, but we can try to make our own little corner as faultless as possible for those we love and those God puts in our path to learn to love.

"The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you."

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28