"Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2)
There is a trend in society that has been around for centuries, that of separating the sacred from the secular. Musicians distinguish between sacred and secular music. There is a sacred way to dress and a secular way - what you would wear to church on a Sunday is not how you dress the rest of the week. Though there is a definite distinction between what is deemed to be worldly and godly, as believers there must not be any distinction for us. All aspects of life are to be seen to be godly.
In our text today, Paul deals with living a life that pleases God. Let us explore it together.
A Call to Please God
As we saw earlier in his letter, Paul has reminded the Thessalonians that they have come out of their old lives, living for themselves and as the world dictates, and into faith in Jesus (see 1:9 and 2:13). That change in life means a change in lifestyle too. Paul commends them a number of times throughout the letter that they are living a life that is a testimony to others throughout the region.
In the verses above Paul points out that lifestyle is one that pleases the Lord. Paul goes on to remind them that this is not a once off change, but rather is a gradual process and that they need to excel at even more. A once off change and doing enough to be noticed is not enough. They need to continue to do so, but they also need to do more and even do greater things.
The danger here is to make sure that we do not think of this in terms of doing works in order to earn God's favour, nor is it to do things so as to win others to Christ. Rather it is to do these things as a result of God's favour in the first place. They have already come to Christ. Their place in heaven is already secure. The result of that should be a life that is pleasing to God.
Under God's Authority
In verse 2 Paul reminds them that they should not be living this way just because he said so, but rather because God said so. At no time should they feel manipulated into doing something because a person said so, nor should they be doing it in order to please man. God is the absolute authority and it is because of that authority that they should be striving to excel in their lives pleasing to God.
This is in line with what Jesus taught when He was on earth. Many times He confronted the Pharisees who imposed so many laws on people that at the end of the day, they were the ones that had to be satisfied, and not God. If someone broke a law, the Pharisees were the ones to be afraid of, and physical death imposed by the law makers was worse than spiritual death imposed by God.
All of Life
Notice too that Paul does not draw any distinctions making this principle only apply to some areas of life and not others. The implication here is that it clearly applies to all aspects of a believer's life. Whether at work, home, church, or play, our lives should be lives that please God at all times, in all places, and in all situations.
Does every aspect of your life please God? Do you desire to please God first before man, and more importantly before yourself? Are you the same person at work, home, the gym, etc, as you are at church every Sunday?
To live any part of your life that does not please God but rather pleases yourself or others, is a life of hypocrisy. Make a decision today to strive to live to please God, and to do so more each day.
Just a Thought!
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