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
The apostle Paul’s writings often use the phrase, “But I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). To walk is to make steady progress forward, to keep moving toward a desired goal and, for the Christian, it is to walk in the light and step into the presence of God at the end of the journey here on earth.
When Enoch “walked with God,” the Hebrew verb conveys an ongoing intimacy with Him. God was so pleased with Enoch that he did not die, but “God took him” (Genesis 5:24). In today’s verse, Paul is encouraging the Thessalonian believers to walk to please God, to grow in grace and the knowledge of Him. This does not just involve obeying His commandments, it involves the heart.
Jonah, after trying to run from God’s orders for him, finally went to Ninevah to preach salvation to the people. They repented and turned to God, but Jonah was displeased. He would rather that the people remain in their wickedness so God would bring disaster upon them. His heart was in the wrong place. He had obeyed, but he did not please God.
Walk in the Spirit and you will please God. Paul gives additional ways to follow the Lord and ends this book with encouraging words as you grow in your faith. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
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