1 Thessalonians 2:10-13 "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: (11) As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, (12) That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (13) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."
We wrote recently of Paul's heart concerning the people at Thessalonica. This
was his same approach to all of God's children. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ
and he loved the people of God. That love was manifested in many different
ways. These verses speak of his behaviour as he dealt with the Thessalonians
and his behaviour toward people, in general. His love was shown in
comforting those who mourned and also by exhorting (correcting) those whose
lives had strayed from the path of God's Word.
The main thought for this morning is not Paul's conduct. Though his manner of
living was commendable, he was not promoting himself to the people. His main
concern was to encourage them in the Word of God. He exhorted them to continue
in their walk with the Lord and that walk was to be worthy of the grace that
had been bestowed upon them. "Walk worthy of God." That
is a tall order, isn't it? I admit to you that even as I am writing this,
my mind says, "But I'm only human and I am prone to making mistakes."
I look back at the text and I see the words, "Walk worthy of
God." But Lord, you know I am weak. To which God says, "You
know I am strong." ----- "Walk worthy of God."
Do I have to be perfect in order to walk worthy of God? As I think upon this
and pray about the simple statement, I hear the Holy Spirit whispering into my
heart, "I didn't say walk without mistakes; rather, I said ... Walk worthy
of God." But Lord, how can I walk worthy of Him if I err from His
Word? Then He gently whispered, "Simply come back and ask for
forgiveness." Even the action of asking for forgiveness and
returning from our errant walk, is showing that God is worthy of our love and
devotion. He is worthy that when I stray from Him, I am determined not to
remain in that "strange land" as the prodigal son had run.
To walk worthy of God means to turn from my own wicked ways and seek His face.
To walk worthy of God is to approach Him in humbleness of heart confessing my
sin and asking Him to cleanse me from the filth that I have accumulated through
my own wayward actions. To walk worthy of God is to seek to live according to
His Holy Word. In order to do that, I must spend time in God's Word. I must
study. I must pray. I must meditate upon the Word of God. I must seek to apply
His Word to my life. Why am I to do that? For one simple reason:
God is worthy of my everything. He gave me His all and I am to present
myself as a living sacrifice unto Him.
Lord, here I am in all my weakness. Please take me in your hands. Use me. Allow
me the privilege to show you glory and honour for all you have done for me. I
could never repay you, but please Lord show me the way that I can somehow give
honor to your name. In Jesus' name. Amen