Saturday 2 Sep 2023

September 2: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

Devotion:
I find the honesty in the letters the apostle wrote enlightening and something we should strive for in our own lives with the people around us. Why should we every try to deceive anyone when the truth will be known in the end? The church in Thessalonica must have been doing well because this letter is very supportive but there is an underlying tone of ‘you can do more!’

It’s not a case of the writer telling the people they have fallen short of the mark but a simple encouragement on all fronts. When we know we are doing good in our communities, there is always room for improvement in one way or another. This does not mean that we have to work twice as hard! This means we can do more by sharing what we do and encouraging others to take up the work too.

The encouragement is not to be louder and more brazen but to do things quietly and behind the scenes so others can get the right idea of what being a Christian is all about. The way to make disciples is not to shout at them to do more but to show them by example so they will feel they can do more too.

One of my friends who has travelled all over the place is a true inspiration to me through their selfless actions they do as a matter of normal life. Not going out of their way to show others what they can do but simply to do it without broadcasting what they are doing. I wonder, do you know someone like that?

Points to Ponder:
Are you living like Christ wants you to live?

Are you encouraging others to live a better life too?