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 believer