As we worked through the first three chapters of this remarkable book, 1 Thessalonians. We have learned much. In fact, the principal subject of these chapters centered around witnessing for Christ. There is no doubt that witnessing is priority number one for all believers. God desires that we be effective witnesses for Him. Yet, obedience is the key to a victorious Christian life, no matter what we are commanded or instructed to do by the Lord.
During our study, we were challenged by the testimony of the Thessalonican believers and Paul’s love and concern for them. Despite constant persecution, they stood firm in their faith. Paul longed greatly to be with them and encourage them. Yet, the Holy Spirit had other plans for Paul and the Thessalonican believers. Instead of allowing Paul to go, He used Paul to write this excellent letter to them which became part of the overall canon of Scripture. Now, as fellow believers, we can read, study, and know the instructions God gave to the believers in Thessalonica. I imagine Paul struggled somewhat, not knowing why the Holy Spirit did not allow him to return. Yet, for us, it is a great lesson. We must realize that God always knows what is best, not just for the moment but even for the future.
As we move into chapter 4, the Holy Spirit stops to make a simple request. Verse 1 of this chapter is the summation of the previous 3 chapters.
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
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You will note how the Holy Spirit reminds them of the instruction they have received. All that was written up to this point was for their benefit. By the way, it is still beneficial to us today as believers. Now, the Holy Spirit has this simple request. Here was His request! Will you take the instruction to walk daily with the Lord, please Him, and abound in it? You might think about it this way. Take what you have learned and use it.
One of the great themes of Scripture is obedience. God gives us instructions, and then He expects us to obey. Several passages come to my mind concerning this point.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:” (Matthew 7:24)
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Interestingly, Christ related wisdom to obedience. A sage person hears and obeys the words of Christ.
Over in James, we read the following.
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” (James 1:22–24)
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Too many times, we, as believers, read and study God’s Word without implementing it in our lives. It is not enough to study it. We must also obey it, which is the point of our text this week. In the coming verses, the Holy Spirit is about to give some practical instruction about living a life of faith. He taught us the importance of faithfully witnessing the gospel to others. However, it is not enough to just hear those instructions. We must apply what we hear to our daily walk with Him.
Looking back to 1 Thessalonians 4:1, we note that words “abound more and more.” We must walk each day pleasing God by obeying His instruction. Yet, there is the expectation to “abound.” The word “abound” means to be abundant or plentiful. For example, having an abundance of apples means you have large quantities. If you apply that to our daily walk, it means we are to “abound” in our obedience to the Holy Spirit’s instructions. In other words, there is more than just one act of obedience. A believer’s life must exhibit obedience after obedience. In fact, the Holy Spirit adds the modifier “more and more.” Thus, abounding more and more indicates an abundance of obedience that is growing steadily. Each believer who is abounding more and more through their obedience to God’s Word is a believer of substance. They are not shallow Christians. Instead, they are learning to stand firm in their faith through obedience. One fantastic by-product of their continued obedience is how much it allows the Holy Spirit to control and use them as valuable instruments. Such believers are more effective in the witness for Him. As we will see in the coming verses, believers who abound in their obedience can also overcome life-dominating sins. On top of that, obedient believers stand firm, knowing that Christ is coming again.
The Holy Spirit encourages us to obey. He does so, knowing that it is the key to living a life of faith. Each day, we should wake up with a renewed commitment to obedience to the Lord. Each of us must be intent on living to please Him. Let us determine to hear and do all that He has commanded.