2 amazing steps: Step 2
Last week we looked at how the community in Thessalonica lived faithfully, living in a way to please God. What more could they do? Do the things they were doing more, and more, and more, and more.
Paul says, “we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1
What are those things to do more and more? 2 Things:
LIVE TO PLEASE GOD MORE & LOVE OTHERS MORE
Easy to say, not always easy to do, but it is what Jesus modeled for us. He showed us how to live to please God and how to love others, even when they don’t love you back.
Often the best test of the strength and depth of our faith comes when life is hard and we choose to live to please God no matter what, or turn on God, questioning Him as to why He isn’t working like we want Him to. And secondly, when people are hard and difficult, don’t respect us, act selfish, or simply are unkind – do we chose to love them, and like Paul said, to do it more, and more? These are the tests of faith that reveal our true heart, but Jesus showed us that the more we chose to do them, the more naturally they come to us.
Pastor Steve