Walk

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.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:1)


How are we as Christians supposed to conduct ourselves in everyday life?  What does it mean to walk and please God?  I don’t think I would be wrong in assuming that most if not all Christians aim to please God.  I doubt your goal in being a Christian is to dishonor God or do things to stir up his wrath.  The truth is we all aim to please God.  How do we do this?  I think Paul alludes in this passage (4:1, 2) that there was a standard of how a Christian is to conduct his everyday life.  Paul spoke earlier (2:4) about how they seek to please God by declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ so as to please God and not man.  Our lives and our conduct speaks volumes to others as to who we are.  If you claim Jesus as your Lord and savior then your actions, conduct and life should reflect this. 

In Hebrews 11 the author writes about various men of faith.  In verse 5 he specifically mentions Enoch who walked with and pleased God.  He was “taken up” by God and never saw death.  He continues by writing, “Without faith it is impossible to please him (God).”  Do you notice that?  If you have no faith in God then your life cannot be pleasing to him.  Thus I believe a person who walks to please God is one who walks in faith and trusts God in ALL areas of ones life.  So many of us are guilty of trusting God in some areas of our lives but do we actually have faith in God exclusively to trust him in every aspect of our being?  I admit, this is hard yet if you read through whole of Hebrews 11 you see the author writes about the faith of those in the Old Testament.  In writing about their faith He ultimately shows that God has proven himself trustworthy and faithful throughout the ages.  Since this is true then you and I should walk in faith to please him.  Apparently the Thessalonians were doing such and as a result were growing in their faith and I cannot see a reason why this wouldn’t be the case for us as well.     

 
Random thought: Pleasing God and faith go hand in hand.  Walk in faith today and let your conduct reflect the Jesus you serve.  Know that God is faithful and trustworthy so walk in faith and confidence and understand that God is well pleased with you.