By Sam Nobles
With this chapter, Paul begins
to instruct the Thessalonian Christians to walk in holiness, especially in view
of the coming of Jesus Christ. Paul urged them to live in a manner that is
pleasing God, and to live that way, “more and more” (v.1).
More and more holiness (v.1-8)
Your body is not your own – it
belongs to God. It is God’s will that you use your body for holy purposes and
not allow your passion to get out of control. It would do us well to remember
that Father has called us to holy living, not an impure and lustful existence (v.7). It would also do us well to
remember Christ is the one who purchased our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:18-20), and it is the Spirit of God who now dwells
in your body (v.8).
More and more love (v.9-10)
Love is a principle that the Apostle Paul knew
was apparent to the Thessalonian Christians because they were taught by God to love one another, yet
they still needed to be reminded. Love is not an achievement to be gained, it
is a grace that is to be practiced so that we may increase in it more and more.
More and more quietness (v.11-12)
The believers in Thessalonica
expected an imminent return of the Lord Jesus. This is not a bad expectation,
but some of the members of that church had quit their jobs and become idle and
meddlesome. Their lives were drawing the wrong kind of attention and giving a
poor witness and testimony to the lost. Winston Churchill told the story of a
man who was always chattering. “Sir Winston,” he chirped, “I haven’t told you
about my grandchildren yet.” “And for that,” Churchill answered, “I am deeply
grateful.”[i]
More and more hope (v.13-18)
Every
once in a while, I am asked to officiate the funeral of a person that I know
was an unbeliever. Those kinds of services are gut wrenchingly difficult,
mainly because there is nothing I have no hope to offer that family for the
eternity of their lost loved one. On the other hand, the funeral services I
officiate for believers is polar opposite. Those types of services are filled
with hope for eternity. Christian people will have sorrow, but it is not a
hopeless kind of sorrow because Jesus is coming again.
Scripture
to Claim:
Finally, then, brothers, we
ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought
to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
1 Thessalonians 4:1
Corson’s
Application Commentary on the New Testament, accessed May 16,
2017, https://www.christianbook.com/coursons-application-commentary-the-new-testament/jon-courson/9780785251552/pd/251553.
