I Thessalonians 2:12
“encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory”.
To live lives worthy of God is a curious phrase. This is what every religion strives for. However, very few are serving a God of grace. Most attempt deny pleasure, give great sacrifices, serve Him according to human understanding and so on. These ways are too burdensome. Their example turn many away from God.
To accomplish this we need to understand God’s ways. Jesus gave us great insight that contrasts with the never ending attempts to please God. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”, (Matthew 11:28,29). The christian life is one of rest. He wants us to be refreshed and to feel His peace. We’ve taken a wrong turn if that’s missing.
All of us have had misunderstanding about how to live. When Jesus told the disciples to get some swords, Peter sought to use one against those arresting Jesus. He was corrected publicly and was left very confused. A few hours after this very heroic attempt, he denied Jesus. Our misunderstandings get us into trouble.
We have a tendency to think too big. Peter is an example. The opening paragraph has people denying everything for God. He doesn’t ask that. He wants us to submit to Him, but Jesus says His burden is light. It’s not crushing. It brings purpose and hope.
Micah 6:8 gives us some idea of a life worthy of God, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?”
That verse removes the scary mystery of the scary mystery of what God wants of us. That makes sense. We don’t have to isolate ourselves as a monk. We don’t have to do great tasks and so on. It’s simple.
We enter that highway by accepting Christ and His forgiveness. Once that’s done, then we are in a right relationship with Him. Thus begins a wonderful life.
Lord, thanks for Your wonderful guidance. Thanks that Your ways give purpose and hope. Help us to stay in them.