A THREE STRAND CHORD – ASPIRE TO LEAD A QUIET LIFE
October 15, 2025THE “PROBLEM” WITH TRUTH – CAN WE DARE TO HANDLE IT?
October 17, 2025For the past few days we have looked at what we are called to do 1- ASPIRE TO LEAD A QUIET LIFE 2- TO MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS and 3- TO WORK WITH OUR OWN HANDS from 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. This morning let us look at what will happen when we do all what we are called to do.
– “11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
When we as Christians, and the disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ, walk in obedience to our Master, then we become His true witnesses. We would reflect Him, who has called us out of darkness, into His marvellous light. We begin to think speak and behave like our LORD, and our Redeemer. Two things happen when we do so.
– WE DEMONSTRATE A DIFFERENT LIFE AND WORK ETHIC.
– WE WOULD LACK NOTHING BECAUSE WE WORK HONESTLY, WORK HARD AND WITH OUR OWN HANDS.
– THIS MAKES US SHINING EXAMPLES OF THE GOOD, THAT OUR REDEEMER HAS WROUGHT IN US.
The Amplified Bible version gives us a greater clarity and depth of what Paul is wanting to explain to the Christians at Thessalonica, in 1 Thessalonians 4:12 .
– “12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders [exhibiting good character, personal integrity, and moral courage worthy of the respect of the outside world], and be dependent on no one and in need of nothing [be self-supporting].” – 1 Thessalonians 4:12 – Amplified Bible
What is being said here, is what was already said…
– “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
– “12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” – 1 Peter 2:12
David Guzik commenting in 1 Thessalonians 4:12, in Enduring Word Commentary, says…
– “People who are not yet Christians (those who are outside) will see our example and be influenced to become followers of Jesus.” – David Guzik
It is not just what we believe, in our hearts and minds, that is going to make us disciples and witnesses, to our LORD and Redeemer. Yes, it is important to believe. However, it is how we live out, what we believe in, is what will make us truly Christian, and thus, the disciples, the followers, and the witnesses of the LORD Jesus Christ. This is a very important point to note.
Now the question for us is this. What do those, who are on the outside, think about us, when they see us calling ourselves Christians, and the disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ. Do they see Christ in us? Or, do they see the world in us? Do they see us, think, speak and behave just like the world? Do they see any difference between us, as Christians, and those on the outside, the ones in the world? Let us think over this. Even so, the LORD help us to be honest and dispassionate, in our evaluation, and in our desire to live for God.
