Keep Practicing

When Paul and his associates had been Thessalonica, they had taught, both by word and example how the Christians should live.  In I Thessalonians 4:1-2 he encourages them to practice the things they have been taught.  “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.”   With practice, the Christian walk becomes more natural. 

Many people are concerned about finding God’s will.  Unfortunately they are often thinking about some special or job.   I Thessalonians 4:3-8 tells us what God wants from every Christian.  “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.” 

God’s will for every Christian is that they be sanctified, literally, that they be set apart and have their life cleaned up, kind of like a clean plate or bowl that has been washed and is ready for use.  Until we have our lives cleaned up, we are not fit for God’s use in special service.  One of the first things that needs to be addressed is sexual impropriety in all the different forms, from promiscuity or homosexual activity to pornography and suggestive dress or actions.   Another area to be addressed is in our treatment of others in daily life.  We need to make sure we are not taking advantage of them in any way, because we understand we are going to be held accountable by God.  When we treat others as if they don’t matter, we are not just insulting them, but the God who has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Paul had already addressed how pleased he was with the Thessalonians concern for other Christians.  He encourages them to continue to grow in that area also, in I Thessalonians 4:9-10.  ”But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” 

No matter how good we may become at a specific action or attitude, we need constant practice to maintain and sharpen those skills.   Either you use them or you lose them.   They needed to focus on being quiet, not calling attention to themselves or getting upset, but rather to stay focused on their own business,  doing the Job God had given them, rather than worrying about what others were doing.  If they would do that, they would not have to pretend to those around them, and God would use their effort to meet their needs. 

If we are to stay faithful to God it is vital to remember that everything will ultimately turn out according to God’s plan.  We must not get distracted by what is happening around us.  I Thessalonians 4;13-18 reviews what we have to look forward to.  “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and s shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 

Without reassurance about Christ’s long term plans, it is easy to get discouraged and give up, because so often it seems like those who do evil are better off than those who serve the Lord.  We need that comfort.  It is not just to make us feel better at a funeral.