DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL: Living to Please God

 

Bible Text: 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12

Paul having received the report from Timothy encouraged the Thessalonians to continue doing good. He had commended their good works but still needed to remind them that they must keep on doing good. They were to continue to walk in faith and to please God as the apostles did..they were to move on to sanctification. That unmistakable strength of holiness that comes as we progressively surrender to the leading of the holy spirit.

He mentioned fornication particularly in verse 3. He cautions that every one should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour (verse 4). It is sad that immorality has crept into the church and thriving. Many Christians carelessly fall into this dangerous sin. They trivialize it regardless of Paul's warning in 1Corinthians 6:15-19 "what? know ye not that your body is the temple of the holy spirit which is in you, which you have of God  and ye are not your own?" (Verse 19). Lack of self control is the major reason many people cannot stay away from this sin. They do not understand the gift of self control..it is one of the fruits the holy spirit bears in us when we heed to his leading and earnestly desire to bear this fruit. Many who fall into this error again and again should know that God does not condone sin, neither will he hide it as they are hiding it. Cry out today for deliverance. Do not allow the sin of immorality you are hiding to disgrace you. God has not called us unto uncleanliness.

As touching brotherly love, this is to be our hallmark. Let brotherly love continue is the injunction in Hebrews 13:1. Here in verse 9, Paul says, you need not that I write to you about it. This means that it is expected of us. Let our being brothers and sisters not be in mere words. May we sincerely love the brotherhood. May we make excuses for the brethren when they fall beyond our expectations. May our love be pure and undefiled. Even though we love already, Paul wants us to go on loving and living in love. This is not easy because offences must come. But if we are intentional to allow the word of God be the basic principle by which we live our lives, then we shall receive grace from the holy spirit to live out this new testament command.

Read also: Encouraged...because of your faith

Finally, we are warned not to be busy bodies. We must be wise enough to know when to speak and when not to. To mind our business and stay away from things that do not directly concern us. This way we avoid unwarranted troubles, gossip and slander. Ultimately, it helps us to walk honestly among unbelievers having no reproach. Is my life a written epistle to unbelievers? Can anyone who meet me know, within five minutes, that I am born again, even without me preaching to them? Let these questions always guide us and help us to stay focused. May God's grace fill our hearts today, bless the new week for us and strengthen us yo live holily and blamelessly through Christ our risen lord, Amen!