Week of May 18

Urgent care means that we make a swift response to human crisis. Paul sees a need for vital soul care in our focal passage today, but it may surprise us all as to what this concern entails. The Apostle challenges the Thessalonians to see the crucial need to always be ready to express the love of Christ in all things. David Wilkerson once said, “Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do.” There is a lesson for our lives in this passage, so let’s seek ways to enrich our daily Christian walk with the Lord.

There was a specific body of instruction that new believers would receive (cf. Matthew 28:19; make disciples; Matthew 4:23; “teaching”). They were to embody this apostolic training (cf. Deuteronomy 6:7) and, in so doing, to please God (4:1). Verse two drives the point home by calling them to take past authoritative instruction and obediently follow it. They would not need a follow up visit from Paul since they were following through with God’s commands. In other words, they did not need to respond as subordinates to a superior officer, as the terms he used here mean; instead, they were to eagerly desire to please God. How does this level of commitment look in practice?

There was distinct motivation to take on the cloak of serious discipleship. When Paul “asks” and “urges” them to dedicate their lives to the teachings of Christ, he uses the phrase, “in the Lord Jesus.” He refers to the authority of the Lord Jesus two times in the first two verses. The sphere of the commands for Christian living is expressed in the first verse, and the second verse expresses the agency by which the commands were given (4:2). Paul stresses the urgency of these words of instruction and the Thessalonians were to receive them as having come from the Lord Jesus himself. This truth about Christ’s authoritative call to discipleship would transform the commitment in our Bible studies, wouldn’t it?!

Secondly, there was specific moral direction to the teaching. In an academic setting, I would say that theology begs for ethics. In theories of learning, I would insist that we would craft learning goals from the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. In church-speak, I’d say that you must live this devotional truth at home and at work or school this week. Why? Paul uses a verb that meant to “pass on the religious tradition of Judaism” (NAC). There was no room for ivory tower learning in that culture. He uses present tense verbs, and this meant “consistent behavior was expected,” not just occasional acts of obedience (cf. NAC). All of this consistency was aimed toward their sanctification—growth in holiness (4:3; now read verses 3-8).

My beloved son-in-life is a firefighter. He went through intensive training to become a first responder to crises of any and every variety. Now, that training was not a one-time certification. He continues to pour himself into the exacting instruction that enables him to be well equipped for any situation! He, in fact, logs countless hours into study for exams and simulated training of all varieties. You may find him atop a building rappelling down the side, driving a firetruck, or practicing emergency triage. He became a firefighter because of his deep inner belief in and commitment to helping humanity. We may even say that he is a firefighting disciple.

Here is the spiritual point. We, in similar ways, are to be actively pursuing Christian discipleship with all our beings. A truly loving Christian will surely live like an authentic disciple.

1. One teacher terms discipleship as “Vitamin D.” I like this idea. The question from our focal passage today is, “Are we vitamin D—meaning discipleship—deficient?” Strive for consistent, daily growth in your Christian walk. Here are two questions from Dallas Willard that you may use for self-evaluation: What is our plan for making disciples? Is our plan working? 

2. For Families: How is the discipleship training working in your household? Do you regularly urge your children to take their multiple vitamins and eat well to grow healthy bodies? Do you help them study for spelling and math tests each week to aid the growth of their minds? Maybe this is a good time to check on their spiritual lives as well.

We have mentioned how to structure your children’s summertime schedule already in this column. Making sure that they have a quiet time, along with the play and sports practices, and fun times is vitally important. Daily prayer, Bible reading and memorization, worship, and devotionals are good ways to keep the “Vitamin D” at the growth level.

Here is a good website for purchasing age-appropriate Bible memorization booklets for your kids. You could order them and have them ready the first day of summer break! Click here to visit Scripture Memory Fellowship.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock