“Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God — as you are doing — do so even more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 HCSB
‘Do so even more.’ Kind of like, try harder, right? This is followed by a list of things they had apparently previously discussed. Things to do or not to do as a Christian. And now, as the return of Jesus seems to be getting closer every day, we ‘do so even more.’
Because we’ll be so close to Easter weekend, we’ll be talking about sacrifice at our next discussion meeting. And here’s how sacrifice ties in with the Thessalonians verses. Trying harder often leads to more defeat. We realize we can’t do this life without God’s help. But when we repent and surrender our lives to Jesus, He makes us new creatures. Jesus died, then stepped out of the tomb, fully alive. He does the same with us. We really can’t live this life without putting ourselves on the altar and allowing God to take control. And we can do this because we know He made us, knows us, and loves us.
Today we should pray that God will help us get back up on the altar in surrender to our Holy God Who loves us so very much.
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2 HCSB
