Involving the Heart

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). 

Pray now that those leading this nation would seek to please God. 

Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Finally, then, brothers, 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. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 

23 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. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.


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