Christian Living (1 Thessalonians 4)

1 Thessalonians 4 (NIV)

Paul is instructing in the ways of Christian living.  

Live as Christ would live.  So that we please God.   That we live holy and honourable.   We are called to live a holy life.   A life of purpose not idleness.

The Bible is written about God interacting with His people.  In OT people was told how to eat, what to wear, how to wear, tie up people with traditions.

Simple things like washing hands (Gospel of Mark)  became a burden to the people because the leaders commanded it, not what the Lord had said.

Abraham was considered righteous.   He obeyed God yet he didn't have '10 Commandments'.

Acts 15 v 20:  "Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood."

John 8:29: "The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."

This is what Paul had taught the Thessalonian believers.   They were encouraged to  do this more and more (John 8:29)

The Church in the Book of Acts grew because people loved each other and the Holy Spirit was present.

This church was a model church.  They had problems but it was not like the Corinthians or the Galations.

The way we live our life affects other believers.   We are the sons and daughters of the Most High. 

We are to rough each other up; :as iron sharpens iron....".  We are to hold each other accountable.

Galations 5:22  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,..."

To be a child of God we are called to love...

Jesus died on the cross because He loved...

His love is never passive, not reactive but proactive.

James 2
1 John 3
1 John 4 "Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world..."

Jesus gave us the standard of love.

John 15:1-13.  The disciples quarrel was 'who was the best'...
Jesus showed them what He expected of them.  He served them.

Jesus gave us a new commandment:

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  This is my command: Love each other. " (John 15:12‭-‬14‭, ‬17 NLT)

Holy - set a part for God so that God can come into our lives and be in us.

By this all people in the world will you are His disciples.