Living for Christ might not always be easy, but it certainly is not complicated.
In 1 Thessalonians 4, the apostle Paul outlines Christian living for this church of new believers, and we find that although there are things to keep in mind, the list is rather simple.
The Christian is to a live pure, upright, and godly life while awaiting the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In simple terms, we aim to please God (1 Thess. 4:1).
What does this look like? Thankfully, the apostle does not leave it all up to personal interpretation or guessing games, for he begins to show us exactly how to please God with the lives we live.
First, the Christian is to abstain from sexual immorality by living with self-control (1 Thess. 4:3-5). Paul even describes this as “the will of God” even our sanctification!
God cares an awful lot about the lives of His children and how we live. If we belong to Him, our lives should look different than the nonbelievers around us. Those who know God should live markedly different lives from those who do not know God! (1 Thess. 4:5).
Self-control is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23). Paul even says in another place to his ministry protégé, Timothy,
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7, emphasis added).
The ability to control one’s own body in holiness and honor (1 Thess. 4:4) is evidence that the living God has taken up His abode in us!
For Paul in this passage on Christian living it is the very first evidence of a life that is lived to please God. Presently, we live in a culture that has normalized every form of sexual immorality, even celebrated it, and recorded it all for anyone to watch who has access to the internet. Will we be distinguished in this area as God’s people and so please Him?
Secondly, believers are to continue in their love for one another (1 Thess. 4:9-10).
Remember, love is the distinguishing attribute of the disciple of Jesus (see John 13:35). The Lord Jesus even went so far as to sum up the entire law with its hundreds of commandments with two simple commands: love God and love your neighbor (Matt. 22:37-40).
Lastly, the apostle put forth an instruction that is frequently overlooked, especially in today’s day and age. The believer ought to aspire to live quietly and mind our own affairs, doing our own work (1 Thess. 4:12).
None of these things are complicated, nor is the list incredibly long. Yes, there are many passages throughout the Bible that give us practical instruction for how we are to live. Yes, there are other sections devoted to Christian living beyond 1 Thessalonians 4.
At the same time, I think we frequently overcomplicate things.
Jesus’ yoke was easy and His burden light (Matt. 11:30). He came to bring rest for the weary soul (Matt. 11:29). I wonder how often our souls do not find rest because we add to His expectations indefinitely.
We should strive to walk in a manner pleasing to God by His grace, as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus.
We should know His commandments in Scripture but also know that His commandments are not burdensome. Abstaining from sexual immorality through self-control, loving one another, and living quietly are not complicated matters and are certainly accessible through the help of God’s Spirit.
So, let us live these quiet and God-pleasing lives, knowing that our Lord Jesus is coming again and with that we can and should be comforted along the way (1 Thess. 4:18). This earthly life is merely the preparation for true life that is to come.