October 19, 2024 - 1 Thessalonians 4-5

Paul writes, “Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more” (4:1).  Living and pleasing God, and isn’t it good when someone can say, “You are, in fact, living in that way.”

And, then:  “Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another” (4:9).  Another commendation:  The Thessalonians were loving one another precisely as God desired them to do.”

Now, these words, and many more, describe the manner in which we are presently to live.  But there is more!  “If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians. . . . And so we will always be with the Lord” (4:14).  And so, we are able always to “rejoice, constantly pray, and in everything give thanks” (5:16-18).  What a delight to live for the Lord!

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices;

who from our mothers’ arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.   -- Martin Rinkart (1636)