"Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need." (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)
After dealing with purity, Paul moves on to the more general subject that applies to all aspects of our behaviour: love for others. Having already commended the Thessalonian church for their love (see 1:3), Paul here draws their attention to it again. Clearly this is of utmost importance to Paul otherwise he would not have brought it up a second time. Join me as we look at this passage to see why it is so important.
Pleasing God With Brotherly Love
The love that Paul refers to here is brotherly love (Greek: Phileo). Prior to the New Testament, this word was used almost always for the love that one would naturally have for one's siblings. However here Paul uses the term quite broadly, after all, the church in Thessalonica most certainly was not made up of blood relatives only. The reason Paul uses the term is because as Christians, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all a part of the same family.
Therefore this means that the love we have for one another should come naturally. In the same way that one has a natural love for their blood relatives, so too as Christians we should have a natural love for fellow Christians.
But where does this love come from? Especially since it seems as though there is a lack of love in the church today. Paul tells us, it has been taught to us by God. Jesus is the perfect example of what this love looks like, and He is also the one who motivates the love in our hearts. Though a certain affinity towards a fellow believer may exist, the true love that we should have for each other comes from God Himself. And it is not something that we have in abundance or completely the moment we become Christians, but rather it is something that grows. Hence Paul's words to the Thessalonians that they should "excel still more."
Pleasing God In the Community
This command to love is not just about having warm fuzzy feelings for someone, but rather it is practical and impacts our day-to-day lives. Paul's focus here is about how we live within the Christian community, and with it he stresses three key areas of everyday life.
"Lead a quiet life" - this has to do with living as law abiding citizens. Living in a way that no-one can point a finger at you for anything, and that means going over the speed limit when driving to church on a Sunday. As believers we are not to disregard others, nor are we to assume that we have any rights of our own.
"Attend to your own business" - this implies not sticking our noses in where they do not belong. Yes we are to help others in their difficulties, and point out their sin when necessary, but we must not make their business our business. Nor are we to make our business theirs. Ask for help, yes, but do not impose your needs onto others.
"Work with your hands" - God created man to work (see Gen. 1). It is the tool by which we are fed, and in turn can feed others. The more we earn, the more we have to give away to those in the community who need it.
Self-Evaluation
How are you doing in your community life? Do you love others the way you should? Are you living in the way Paul prescribes here? If not seek God's face today, ask Him to fill your heart with the love that Paul talks about, and to strengthen you to live out that love towards others. And one final thing to consider, note that Paul does not give a condition to this love, it is not dependent on how others love you. It is a command to do it regardless.
Just a Thought!
© 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment