Paul’s instructions in 1 & 2 Thessalonians offer practical guidelines for godly living.
Sim Kay Tee
“Live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.”
(1 Thessalonians 2:11–12)
There seems to be little to look forward to these days. Wars, diseases, climate change, threats of more war . . . we truly live in a difficult and dangerous world with an unpredictable, uncertain future. At times, one can’t help but wonder:
How long more can this world last? When will man destroy everything they have?
At the same time, we can thank God for the enduring hope we have. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection that reconciles man to God, those of us who put our trust in Him do not face an unknown future. While God has destined the world for destruction and re-creation, we who believe in His Son can look forward to His return, and to the coming of a new heaven and new earth.
This stark contrast—between the uncertainties of this world and the certainty of our eternal future—puts Christians in a dilemma. How can we lead godly lives in this present reality of a world ravaged by evil and characterised by troubles and suffering? What does a life worthy of God’s calling look like, in such trying circumstances?
That’s a big question, given that the Bible is full of commands, instructions, guidelines, and advice on how we can lead lives that are pleasing to God. It is also full of examples of worthy—and unworthy—lives that have been led by people in the past.
Perhaps we can focus on one good example: that of the Thessalonian believers. Why them? No less than the apostle Paul himself called the church in Thessalonica “a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thessalonians 1:7), as he commended its members for their faithful work, loving deeds, and enduring hope—three cardinal virtues of the Christian life, and the greatest signs of salvation.
Despite persecution, the Thessalonians led such radically transformed lives that people could see and feel the difference.
Their godly and Christ-like conduct were turning the world upside down.
So, just what kind of lives did the Thessalonians lead, that was so worthy of God’s calling? Consider these three things about such a life:
It is one that praises God in all circumstances
Let’s be honest: it’s hard to be thankful and joyful in all circumstances. Not when we have just lost our jobs and are worrying about providing for the family. Not when we are suffering from a chronic ailment. Not when we are overburdened by the responsibilities of caregiving. Not when a loved one has just been diagnosed with a fatal disease.
Yet Paul urged the Thessalonians: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).
This is possible only when we trust God at all times—even when these times are bad. If we can hold on to the truth that God is in full control of our lives, and that everything happens only because He allows it for a purpose (which we may not understand at this point), we can be thankful.
We can be thankful that in the midst of difficult and challenging circumstances, we have the privilege of talking to the Father—even if it’s to complain and lament to Him.
We can be thankful that in the midst of difficult and challenging circumstances, we have the privilege of talking to the Father—even if it’s to complain and lament to Him.
We can be thankful that in the midst of difficult and challenging circumstances, we have the privilege of talking to the Father—even if it’s to complain and lament to Him.
We can praise Him for who he is, and pray to Him continually as we acknowledge our own insufficiency.
And we can pray for Him to help us through these tough times, knowing that He will give us the strength, patience, and courage we need as He personally accompanies us through the darkest valley.
Will we praise and thank God today, no matter what our circumstances are?
It is one that loves, encourages, and builds up others
The Thessalonians’ faith was expressed not only in their relationship to God, but also in their relationship to each other. They were aware that ultimately, our faith in God brings us into a family—a godly family that cares for each other and loves each other.
As Paul told the Thessalonians: “You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other” (1 Thessalonians 4:9).
What does this love look like in practical terms?
For a start, it means encouraging each other and building each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). This is absolutely critical for all Christians, especially today. Living in difficult and confusing times can cause us to doubt God, to waver, and even fail in our faith. Hence the writer of Hebrews said:
“Encourage one another daily . . . so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (3:13).
In particular, we might want to look out for some specific groups of people who need special attention and care, as highlighted by Paul—those who are “disheartened”, and the “weak” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
We’ve seen such people around us. Because of their circumstances, they may be feeling discouraged, defeated, and completely crushed. They may be wavering in their faith and feel they just have no strength to keep going.
Of course, caring for people in need is not easy. Pastoral care is often strenuous, difficult, slow, and involved; it is a long-drawn process that requires much patience—which not only helps us continue caring when we see no apparent results, but also guards us against being overly judgmental and condemning.
There will be times when we ourselves will feel like giving up, such as when those whom we care for don’t seem to be responding. But Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:9 that “the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”. Just as our Father has been patient with us, may He give us the strength and love to be patient with our brothers and sisters too!
We are also called to care with a forgiving spirit, which ensures that we do not shoot our own wounded soldiers. Our willingness to forgive the disheartened and the defeated will in turn enable them to experience the Father’s forgiveness.
Can we encourage someone today? Can we be a counsellor, comforter, advocate, helper, or friend to someone in need?
It is one that obeys the leading of the Holy Spirit
Have you ever been unusually struck by a sermon or a Bible passage? It might be something you’ve heard or read many times before, but for some strange reason, it hits home one day, and gives you great comfort or conviction?
That’s the Holy Spirit speaking. The Spirit of God desires to teach, comfort, strengthen, and guide us—which is why Paul told the Thessalonians: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
One of them is prophecies (v. 20). While prophecy is often understood as foretelling, or predicting the future, true biblical prophecy is “forth-telling”, as some Bible scholars have described it—it is declaring the mind of God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In this context, expository preaching is prophetic, for it reveals God’s mind from His Word. God’s Word reveals who God is, as well as what His will is.
At the same time, we are not to accept every teaching outright, without first testing it, as Paul himself reminded the Thessalonians (v. 21). In 1 Corinthians 14:29, he also said: “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.”
And in case you’re wondering, we don’t need a theological degree to test the teaching we hear—even if it’s from the most experienced and highly qualified preacher or Bible teacher. We have the absolute and authoritative standard—the Bible. We can compare what we hear with what the Bible says, and check if it’s consistent or not. Even Paul himself was “checked” by the Berean Jews in Acts 17:11.
What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you today? How can you stay open to His prompting?
God will help us live this worthy life!
If all this seems a little onerous, however, we can remember this:
God will help us follow Him, because He himself deeply desires us to live a worthy life.
God will help us follow Him, because He himself deeply desires us to live a worthy life.
God will help us follow Him, because He himself deeply desires us to live a worthy life.
While following Jesus and discipleship is never an easy choice and requires our wholehearted commitment, the Christian faith is not meant to be a long, tiresome list of arduous dos and restrictive don’ts.
Our walk with God is often described as a relationship. So think of a marriage or friendship which we are passionate about and genuinely desire to build (and not because we have to), and which the other party is equally keen to grow . . . that would be God!
May we take heart and be encouraged by the truth that . . .
. . . God will strengthen us “so that [we] will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones” (1 Thessalonians 3:13).
. . . God will sanctify us, and keep our spirit, soul and body “blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
. . . God will ensure that we will succeed. He not only wants us to succeed, but He will transform our hearts so that we ourselves will want to succeed in living a worthy life, too. Our ever-faithful God will “direct [our] hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).
God will empower us to live a life worthy of his calling as we wait for Jesus to return. Because He is faithful, we can be faithful to the end.
Sim Kay Tee is a Bible teacher, writer, and theological reviewer at Our Daily Bread Ministries. He writes for the Journey Through Series and is a regular contributor to the insights for Our Daily Bread. He is also the author of When Jesus Says I Am and Footprints on Calvary Road. While based in Singapore, Kay Tee has taught the Bible in various countries. He has three daughters and one granddaughter.
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