Live in a way that pleases God
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 NLT
Once again, Scripture reminds us that belief in God should prompt us “to live in a way that pleases God.” We need to live worthy of God’s call. “Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God” (Ephesians 4:1). Since God has removed us from the life of darkness, we need to live as His children living in the light. “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:8-9). After placing our faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, we should be on to the road to sanctification for this is what pleases God. Though Paul commended the believers in Thessalonica on how they have been faithfully living their lives, he doesn’t want them to rest on their accomplishments but instead reminded them to continue to grow by the grace of God appropriating the new life they have received from Him. They should not let down of their guard and they should make it a goal to live their lives obeying God’s commands. By the working of the Holy Spirit within, they should continue to overflow with godly living. We are to produce the fruit in our lives that will bring glory and honor to God’s Name. This can only happen when we continue to draw ourselves to God and His Word and let Him transform our lives. The purpose of the new life that God gave us is to live for His pleasure. “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures… Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life” (Titus 3:3, 7). Our motive should be to please God and not our selfish desires. And God provided us what we need so that we can do what He called us to do. “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13). So, let us submit to God’s working in our lives and live lives pleasing Him.
Blessings,
