BaptistWay Lesson for 11/16: Instructions for walking with God_102003

Posted: 10/17/03

Nov. 16

1 Thessalonians 4: 1-12, 5:14-22

Instructions for walking with God

By Dan Curry

The Christian life has been compared to walking with God. We find this example throughout the Bible, and it is one of Paul's favorite terms to describe a person's relationship to God.

Growing up in a minister's family, I heard my father preach many times, and a few of the things he said I still remember well. I remember his description of what it means to walk with God. He emphasized that a person is not walking with someone if they are ahead of the person or behind the person. He said, “You are only walking with a person if you are side by side.” In trying to walk with God, it is easy for one to fall behind or sometimes to get ahead of him. However, to please God, we must walk with him.

Enoch is a great biblical example of a person who walked alongside God. His story is found in Genesis 5. The author of Genesis writes that after the birth of Enoch's child, Methuselah, Enoch began to walk with God. The Bible tells he walked with God 300 years. The amazing part of Enoch's story is the way it ends. The Bible implies Enoch did not die but just walked off with God and was no more. That would be a beautiful epitaph for anyone.

How does a person walk with God in this manner? Paul answers that question as he gives instructions on how to walk in a manner pleasing to God in 1 Thessalonians. Paul in chapter 4 shares practical instructions on how to walk pleasing to God. He says, “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more” (v. 1). The key word is “walk.” Paul had requested of them, he had exhorted them and he had instructed them on how to walk to please God. It was to be a walk of excellence. How does a person do that?

Walk morally pure

First, a person needs to walk morally pure. The Roman Empire had influenced the ethics of the people in Thessalonica, and the moral climate was not healthy. Promiscuity and the total disregard of marriage were the norm. Greek and Roman practice allowed for intercourse with prostitutes and slaves. As long as a man supported his wife and children, there was no shame in this behavior.

It was to people who were raised in this culture that Paul wrote these words. What may seem simply common to us was rather new to them. Paul shared with them a new ethic that championed purity and protected the home.

Paul shares with the believers the will of God regarding personal purity. He says, “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality” (v. 3). They were to be different. They were to live lives “sanctified” or “set apart” from the heathen world where they lived.

The word “avoid” means complete abstinence from any form of sexual sin. Paul used a broad term for “sexual immorality,” the word “porneias.” It is a term used to describe any form of illicit sexual behavior. Paul gave his authority for these instructions as coming from God and his commandments. A person never has to seek to know the will of God in this matter. God tells us clearly, “You shall not commit adultery” (Deuteronomy 5:18). In all God's commands concerning sex, the purpose was to protect marriage. From the beginning, God created sex both for the continuance of the race and for pleasure of the marriage partners within the marriage relationship.

Paul defends this standard of living with three arguments. The first is that respect for others demands “no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him …” (v. 6). Tampering with another man's wife or scheming for another woman's husband is despicable. Paul reminds them that for such acts the Lord himself will judge. The second argument Paul uses for a life of purity is the holy call from God. God had a greater purpose for their lives, and sexual immorality was not a part of his plan. The third reason Paul gives for obeying his admonition was that disobeying it would mean they were rejecting God's spirit. They would not be merely disobeying Paul. They would be rejecting the very Spirit of God in their lives.

If a person desires to walk with God, he or she must avoid sexual immorality. The practice of sexual sin violates the commandments of God. It corrupts the Lord's will and disregards his plans. Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians should prompt all that desire to walk with God to abstain from all forms of sexual sin.

Walk in brotherly love

Second, one needs to walk in brotherly love. Two characteristics that set the early church apart from its society were the purity of the lives of the early followers and the love they had for each other. Jesus had correctly pointed out this fact when he said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Paul departs from talking about purity and focuses on loving each other. Earlier, Paul had prayed the Lord would increase the love the Thessalonians had for everyone. Then in these words he urges them to continue to love all the brothers throughout Macedonica. Paul uses the word “philia” to describe the kind of love they should have for one another. The word expresses a love of deep affection, such as brothers would have for brothers.

Has anyone ever heard of someone receiving too much love? Neither has Paul. In fact, Paul urges the church to love more and more. He knew that no matter how much people love, they are able to love still more. Brotherly love is a relationship, an attitude, a commitment, a way of looking at others and a way of treating others. If a person is going to walk in a way pleasing to God, his life will reflect God's love by the way he treats others.

Walk in honesty

Christians not only have an obligation to love one another, they also need to be good witnesses by the way they live. Paul says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (vv. 9-10).

Paul used two verb forms almost directly opposite of each other. The term he uses to says, “Make it your ambition” means “to be zealous and strive eagerly.” However, the next term translated, “to lead a quiet life,” means, “to be silent, not speaking inappropriately.” It is as if he is saying, “be zealous about speaking appropriately.”

If a person desires to please God, they must be careful in all relationships to walk in honesty. Paul makes it clear it is not just what a person says that needs to be appropriate, but also how they work. It requires great wisdom to have contact with others without contaminating one's witness. Paul's exhortation is the foundation of all evangelism. Believers who care about others conscientiously focus on keeping their lives in order at home and in the workplace knowing that doing so enhances their witness.

Walk in service to others

Walking a life pleasing to God involves service to others. Paul outlines the ministry and the people who need to receive help. He says: “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else” (vv. 14-15).

John MacArthur describes this group that needs assistance as the wayward, the worried, the weak, the wearisome and the wicked. A life pleasing to God is one of service and ministry to others.

Walk with enthusiasm

Paul says, “Do not put out the Spirit's fire” (v. 19). This is the key verse in these last instructions Paul gives to the church at Thessalonica. They are words on how to walk with enthusiasm or “in the Spirit.” How does a person keep from extinguishing the Spirit? Paul gives us an action list. First, by having an attitude of rejoicing in all circumstances. Second, by being totally open to God's will. He says, “Pray without ceasing” or be continually open to what God desires. Third, he says a person should have a thankful attitude. Fourth, he warns us to respond to God's word and be discerning in doing God's will. Finally, he exhorts us to avoid every form of evil.

If a person does not heed these admonitions from Paul, it will not be long before his or her spiritual life will stagnate. If a people desire to please God, they will desire to remain on fire for God.

Questions for discussion

How can Paul's emphasis on pleasing God help us make obedience to God a top priority in our lives?

Name some prevention actions people can do to avoid sexual immorality in their lives.

What are some ways a person can set a good example for others in their work?

How important is it for one to cultivate brotherly love today?

List some ways a person can remain “on fire” for God.