For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
The first-century Christians in Thessalonica heard false charges against the Apostle Paul that he was one of the many religious teachers of that era who said what people wanted to hear in order to enrich himself. Unsurprisingly, then, Paul includes in his first letter to the Thessalonians a defense against such charges. He reminds them that the accusations could not stick because he did not flatter them or demand their financial support when he ministered to them. In fact, Paul lived among them as an example of righteousness and blamelessness. He served not merely as an example but as an instructor, as we see in verses today. Paul notes that he was like a father and the Thessalonians his children, as he exhorted them. Paul clearly refers to moral instruction, “a manner worthy of God.” God’s Word commands parents, particularly fathers, to make sure that children learn the Scriptures’ eternally valid moral principles. As Paul ministered in Thessalonica for only three weeks or so, this moral teaching was delivered at the same time as his preaching the gospel. Moral instruction shows that the Christian ethic is inseparable from the Christian gospel. Paul preaches that living the Christian ethic is “worthy of God.” Paul means that believers must live in such a way that it can rightly be said of them that they belong to God. If we remain impenitent, we show ourselves unworthy of the kingdom. Christians should be consistently pursuing righteousness, thereby increasing in godliness. We cannot walk in a manner worthy of God under our own power. We need the Holy Spirit to empower and sustain us in Christ. The Lord will certainly enable us to grow in godliness as we seek to walk in a manner worthy of Him.
Source: S C Ball March 5, 2024
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