1 Thessalonians 4: Are You Walking Honestly Before God?
Verse of the Day: (V12) “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
1. Honour (V1-5)
V1 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”
Apostle Paul pleaded with the Thessalonians Christians to flee from immorality and vices that had not only caused God’s displeasure, but had ruined their reputation, and worse, they had become stumbling blocks to the world! God’s richest blessings shall be upon us only when we honour our bodies and are examples of honour and holiness to the world.
V4 “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”
2. Holiness (V6-9)
V7 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”
Holiness is the trademark of God, and this is why the Spirit of God is also known as the Holy Spirit. For the Christian to be holy, he must strive to have the fruit of the Holy Spirit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Indeed, the holy God has called us unto holiness and to be His representatives of holiness!
V8 “He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”
3. Honesty (V10-18)
V12 “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.”
Paul encouraged the believers to walk honestly before God so that the world could see God in all honour and holiness. The world’s motto is - We can do anything as long as we are not caught! However the world fails to realise that even though the law of the land may not catch and prosecute them, yet God is watching over them. One day the holy God shall judge the world, and only those who truly believe in Christ shall have everlasting life with Him in heaven. Those who reject Christ shall be condemned forever in fiery hell. Let us therefore as God’s saints walk in all honour, holiness and honesty before the Lord.
V17 “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to walk in all honour, holiness and honesty before You.
