April 16. 1 Thessalonians 4. Brian Hodges

Live a Holy Life, Pleasing to God, by Loving One Another

Brian Hodges, Kempsville Bible Talk, South Beach HRC

Think how easy it is to want to please people, versus wanting to please God. All our life we struggle with pleasing others. Whether it is our spouse, our children, our friends, our boss, we work hard to please others. It makes me think of high school when so many teens work to please those on the “in crowd.” It’s as if our life is driven by pleasing others. 

However, as believers in Christ, that is the exact opposite of what we should do. We have put off our past life to have a new life in Christ. We are familiar with the Fruits of the Spirit that we recently read in Galatians 5 – “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (v. 22-23). But in this chapter, Paul teaches other aspects of Christ-centered living, to live a quiet life, mind our own business, work hard and love one another more and more” (v.10-11). He reminds us that our goal is to live a life pleasing to God (v. 1). This is first and foremost, but a godly life will “gain respect of outsiders” (v.12). 

But Paul also reiterates our hope in God’s promise – our ultimate destiny, and those who have already passed away is with Him in Heaven (v. 16-17). And it is with this promise that we should encourage one another. 

Paul regularly reiterates that we are to love and encourage one another. Below are many examples that I encourage you to read:

  • Romans 1:12, 12:10, 13:8, 15:5

  • 1 Corinthians 14:31, 16:14

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

  • Galatians 5:13

  • Ephesians 4:2

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 4:18, 5:11

  • 2 Thes. 1:3

  • Tit. 1:9

  • Heb. 3:13, 10:24

  • 1 Pet. 1:22, 3:8

  • 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11-12

  • 2 John 1:5

And why do Paul and the others continually repeat that we are to love each other, because Jesus commanded it, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus repeats it three times, to love one another, just as he told Peter three times to feed his sheep. This is pleasing to God.  – AMEN.

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