Third Sunday of Advent (NT)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-15
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Th 5:1-15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Admonish one another in truth and do not be weak hearted but help the weak and fainthearted. The Lord tells us not to Judge one another but St Paul urges us to admonish one another. Not to destroy the weak or to send them into death. But admonish those who are living in Darkness so they can recognize the light.

St Paul urges you to build up the body of Christ. This means you need to confront sinful behavior. You need to address your own deeds of Darkness. You do not know when the Lord will return. The Day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the Night. Do not be found wanting on that day.

These words of instruction do not come for your own benefit but for the benefit of all. You are not supposed to admonish others for your boasting, but for their encouragement. Speak to one another to wake up from their sleep. Stay alert for destruction is near and the Day of the Lord truly is dark. But you must live in the light of the Christ. He is the one who offers forgiveness to all who have been admonished.