1Thessalonians 4: 1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
Living to please God, that is why we are here right? TO give glory through God by way of our lives; but let us look at what it is to please God as Paul is instructing us in this passage. The Greek word that Paul used is: areskō ar-es'-ko (through the idea of exciting emotion); to be agreeable
This is different form the Hebrew word tobe or the other Greek word used in the New Testament which is arestos Tobe has a meaning of liking something, and arestos has a meaning of to be fit, or suited for. Both of these words fit well into what we think of as pleasing. However the word Paul used here is meant as to be agreeable. So when we think of living our lives to please God, we must realize that what is being said is that our lives should be lead in agreement with God. So what is the difference? Well a person can run around and do many things that people might today say "well all of those good works must be pleasing to the Lord" But if that persons is not working out of a life that is in agreement with God, then those works are missing the mark. What Paul is reminding us, is that there is a lot more to living a life pleasing to God than the works that we do, and if we are going to continue to work and make our lives ever more pleasing to God, then we have some work to do , and that work is done on the inside of us. Paul goes on to list out concepts of a moral life that is pleasing to God, all of the concepts have one thing in common, they are all about our self control, and how we interact with others. So, once again we are left with working on our relationship with God, and working on ourselves. That is the key, God, and you. While life might seem like a struggle, when you put God in the driver seat the struggle becomes bearable. Christ did not hang on the cross so that we could fight this fight alone, He died for the chance to live with you…..to live IN you. Depend on the Lord, not the world. Strive for a life that is agreeable with God, and continue to fight for it. A life that is pleasing to God, is not a destination, You don't arrive, you continue the journey daily; there is no end point before death, and even death is only a way point! Paul ends the chapter with the result: "so that your daily life might win the respect of outsiders, and so you will not be dependant on anybody." So to please God we should become dependant only on God, we should be walking in agreement with Him, and be such an example to outsiders, that they respect us. Now that is a challenge if I have ever heard of one!
God Bless,
Brian Thetford
The New
<))))><
No comments:
Post a Comment