Living In A Way That Pleases God
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Thessalonians 4 and Psalm 79 (NIV)
(Richard Thong, Precept@Wesley Chairperson)
READ
1 Thessalonians 4 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In the first part of chapter 4, Paul provides guidance to the Thessalonians about holy living, brotherly love and preparations for the return of Christ.
Living in a Way That Pleases God
Verses 3-5 & verses 7-8 remind me of God’s will for His children to be sanctified and to live a holy life. This means I am to live a Christian life and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me daily.
Hope for those who died in the Lord
Verses 13-14
The Thessalonians were wondering what would happen to deceased fellow believers. Paul assured them that death is not the end of the story for when our Lord Jesus Christ returns, all believers, dead or alive, will be united with Him with imperishable bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42). We are therefore not to grieve like unbelievers.
APPLY:
Living in a Way That Pleases God
While living in the flesh, I am at times tempted by fleshly cravings, which are contrary to the Spirit. To overcome these, I need to fully submit to the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit. I will take heed of Galatians 5:16-18.
I realise that the filling of the Spirit is not about me getting more of the Spirit, but my submitting to the Holy Spirit.
Hope for those who died in the Lord
Apostle Paul did not tell the Thessalonians not to grieve for their deceased loved ones. Rather, they are not to grieve excessively like the non-believers who have no hope.
I am reminded that by the grace of God, I also received salvation through faith in Christ, We have full assurance. Death has therefore lost its sting and no longer can strike believers with fear. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
DO:
Living in a Way That Pleases God
Knowing that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), I cannot defile it with sexual immorality and fleshly cravings. I need to spend daily quiet time with the Lord, to read His word and seek His guidance, grace and mercy. I also need to have regular spiritual health checks with my small group, to spur one another to walk right with God.
Hope for those who died in the Lord
I have l many relatives and friends who have yet to receive the good news and the hope of salvation. I will have to uphold them in my prayers, pray for opportunities to share the gospel, for soften hearts receptive to the good news.
PRAY:
Father God, thank you for the reminder that Jesus overcame death that I can have eternal life. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide me in my daily living and enable me to remain faithful and honour You till the end.
Thank you that I have been given eternal life and have a future hope in the Lord. I also want to pray for my relatives and friends who have yet to know you. I pray for opportunities to share the gospel with them, and that they be receptive to the good news.
In my saviour Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
