1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

 

The Christian life is not a complicated one to figure out.  What God expects of us is simple to understand.  Unfortunately, it is hard for us as sinful, fallen people to practice.  God calls us to love others when we naturally want to focus on ourselves.  God calls us to a life of quiet and trusting service when we are far more prone to be frantic and worry about the circumstances around us.  Paul’s reminders are very helpful to us in this busy and selfish culture.

 

LOVE CONSTANTLY: Love for one another is an assumed part of our identity in Christ.  It is such a basic part of Christian teaching that Paul says that he does not need to write to them about it.  However, it is such an important part of that teaching that Paul is actually writing about it.  The Spirit of God who indwells us constantly prompts us to love one another.  Any promptings that are to the contrary are not coming from the Spirit of God.  Even though this church has demonstrated a willingness and effectiveness at loving not only one another but also loving people from other places by taking the Gospel to them; Paul urges them to continue growing in that way.  Love must never become stagnant or mechanical.  Love must be growing and spontaneous.  This is the kind of relationship we should constantly cultivate.

 

LIVE QUIETLY: The exhortation to live quietly cannot mean to not talk to other people because we are obligated to proclaim the Gospel.  Living quietly is synonymous to living peaceably with one another.  Paul describes it as minding our own affairs as opposed to being busy bodies and sticking our noses into the business of other people.  Too often we are quick to point out the failings of others and fail to take care of our own issues.  Paul admonishes the church to work with their hands to provide for their own needs and not to be dependent upon others to provide for them.  God created us to be workers and use our bodies in a productive manner.  As believers we should be the best neighbors, productive citizens, and have the reputation of being hard workers.  We should not be seen as troublemakers or grumpy.  Our lives should be marked by joy that is shared with others. 

 

APPLICATION:  Look for practical ways to love the people around us and to grow in that love.  Be kind to our neighbors and be faithful and productive workers.

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