# 14 2019. Dev. I Th.4:1. The Good Life! Read Ch. 4:1-12. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Thessalonians 4:1 “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living.”
Paul wrote the Thessalonians to give them further teaching and to encourage them to stand firm while being persecuted. In Chapter 4 Paul moves to how they should live as Christians. The Greek life style during Paul’s time was pagan; their religion included many deities and the temple cults was based on prostitution. The new Christians were not only persecuted but there were daily temptations.
Here, Paul is very specific: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.” He says: “avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,” do not live like the godless people around you. Further, Paul adds something very important in that regard; “and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.”
In this short statement Paul hits us where we are today in terms of the culture we live in. Frankly, we no longer are able to say that we live in a Christian country. We thank God that there are many Jesus followers throughout the land but we are under the same pressure the Christians of Thessalonica were under.
It is God’s will that we live the Good Life; love others, morally pure, joyful, thankful, satisfied with what God gives us, not taking advantage of others, physically or physiologically. We are to be not only good example to those around us but if there is no repentance from lose living, God punishes those who do not heed his instruction.
The Good Life includes a simple life style, working diligently, taking care of yourself, your family and the family of God. God’s family is based on the human family that follows Jesus and includes: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” In their daily living and relationships. Living to please Him and being Christ’s example to others is God’s will for us, thereby becoming the true church of God! The good life begins now, living in Jesus’ presence but ends in heaven face to face with God. Praise The Lord!
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