_‘TO PLEASE GOD’_ ‘To please God.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:1 A truly human and familiar expression is this! In such language Scripture appeals to the common sentiments of our human nature. It is sometimes thought derogatory to the Divine Being that the thoughts and emotions of our human nature should b... [ Continue Reading ]
_GOD’S WILL FOR THE CHRISTIAN_ ‘This is the will of God, even your sanctification.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:3 These nine words have an interest all their own; but taken in their immediate connection, they are truly momentous and soul stirring. In order that we may please God, He will have us like Him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_SANCTIFICATION AND HONOUR_ ‘That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Here we have a call unto holiness. I. THE CONTRAST. (i.) Holiness is eternal and Divine—the everlasting God is the holy God. (ii.) Man was created in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_BROTHERLY LOVE_ ‘But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:9 ‘Taught of God to love one another!’ It was a new lesson. The Old World had nothing to show that was like it. A little society of men a... [ Continue Reading ]
_QUIET WORK_ ‘We exhort you … that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we charged you.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:10 While no good man can look on with indifference at the conditions of life in England, while a selfish acquiescence in mere personal... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS*_ ‘But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:13 The way in which Saints’ days appeal to different individuals must depend upon individual disposition. But... [ Continue Reading ]
_REUNION IN ETERNITY_ ‘If we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:14 The text discloses to us two blessed and consolatory truths, each containing in regard of those that die in Christ the holiest and... [ Continue Reading ]
_HIMSELF!_ ‘The Lord Himself.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Nothing is of any value that does not spring from personal love to, and communion with, Christ Himself. He came to earth and returned to heaven, and what has He left us to cheer our hearts, to occupy our souls, and to feed our hopes? Himself!... [ Continue Reading ]
_WORDS OF COMFORT_ ‘So shall we ever be with the Lord.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:17 These words come to us as words of comfort, words of hope, in our hours of bereavement. They emphasise one of the great lessons taught us by the Resurrection, that because Christ rose from the dead the future of the beli... [ Continue Reading ]