I Thessalonians 4:9-11 About brotherly love: you don't need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God to love one another. In fact, you are doing this toward the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia. But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone.The world would be a better place if everyone took this admonition seriously. The Word of God is sometimes difficult for us to follow because of our selfish, sinful natures, but the commandments of God are not complicated. Notice what the Apostle Paul is communicating in this passage-
- We are to love one another.
We are to love one another with agape love, the love of God Himself. We love because He first loved us.
- We are to seek to lead a quiet life.
In a noisy, busy world, this can be difficult and we have to do this on purpose. We have to learn to say yes to the right things and no to the wrong things that can clutter our lives. Unless you are seeking to lead a quiet life, you will not be able to be still and hear the voice of God through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
- We are to mind our own business.
If you spend your time minding your business, you won't have time to try and get into other people's business. You have enough trouble of your own.
- We are to work with our hands.
God created us to be productive. The strengths, abilities, and gifts God entrusts to us are so we can be productive with a kingdom mindset. When you work with your hands, and stay occupied, it is a lot easier to mind your own business.
-We are to walk properly in the presence of outsiders.
This relates to your testimony. How you live is a reflection of who you are. God expects our testimony to outsiders to be the aroma of Christ.
Happy Labor Day!
