LIVING AS GOD’S WORTHY CHILDREN. 1Thessalonians 2:11-12 “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.”
Paul didn’t treat the church like a crowd. He cared for each believer as a loving father cares for his own children.
He encouraged those who were discouraged, comforted those who were hurting, and urged every believer to keep following Christ faithfully.
This is a good picture of biblical ministry.
God hasn’t called pastors and church leaders to control people, entertain people, or build a following.
He has called them to lovingly encourage, comfort, teach, correct, and help believers grow into spiritual maturity. Faithful ministry is deeply personal because PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD.
Paul also reminds us that encouragement alone isn’t enough and comfort alone isn’t enough. There are times when we also need to be urged, challenged, and exhorted to obey God’s Word. A loving father does all three.
He encourages when we are weak, comforts when we are hurting, and challenges us when we need to grow.
God uses faithful believers in the same way to help one another become more like Christ.
The goal is clear. We are to “live lives worthy of God.”
This doesn’t mean earning our salvation… salvation is God’s gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Rather, because we belong to Him, our daily lives should reflect His character. Our words, our attitudes, our choices, and our relationships should honour the God who has called us into His kingdom and glory.
Every day we have the privilege of representing Christ wherever we are. Whether at home, at work, at church, or in our community, we are called to live in a way that points people to Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me into Your kingdom and glory. Help me to live in a way that honours You. Give me a teachable heart that receives encouragement, comfort, and correction. Help me to grow into the person You want me to be, so that my life reflects the character of Jesus in everything I do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Have a great day. God bless and lots’a love,
Warren
Pastor Warren Retzlaff is the senior pastor for All Nations Aotearoa Church in Auckland New Zealand.
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