1441. How They Lived

How They Lived

"To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints" (1Th_3:13, \1911 Bible).

We pass now from the consideration of the creed of the model church, to its conduct.

Certainly a church with such a glorious doctrine should have a glorious life.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he said, "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine" (1Ti_4:16).

The Word of God lays emphasis on doctrine, but it does not fail to place a vital stress upon duty.

The Holy Spirit in Paul's Epistles, follows almost an unvarying rule: First, He presents some great fundamental doctrine concerning Christ, and then He gives an appeal for a daily walk and conduct, worthy of the doctrine.

The Book of Romans gives eleven chapters to doctrine, and then the practical appeal begins in chapter 12: "I beseech you therefore" (1Ti_4:1).

The First Epistle to the Corinthians gives eleven chapters to doctrinal considerations, and then begins in chapter 12: "Now concerning spiritualities" (1Ti_4:1, Lit. Ren.).

The Epistle to Galatians discusses doctrine in four chapters, and then says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (1Ti_5:1).

The Epistle to the Ephesians gives three chapters to doctrine, and then says, "Walk worthy of the calling."

We do not wonder then, that, in the Church at Thessalonica, the model Church, the Holy Ghost places emphasis upon how the Thessalonians lived.

Let us notice some of the passages which set forth the life and walk of these Thessalonica saints.

"That ye should walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory" (1Th_2:12, \1911 Bible).

"The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all" (1Th_3:12).

"To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness" (1Th_3:13, \1911 Bible).

"How ye ought to walk and to please God, as also ye are walking" (1Th_4:1, \1911 Bible).

"This is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1Th_4:3).

"For God hath * * called us unto holiness" (1Th_4:7).

"That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without" (1Th_4:12).

A great part of the 5th chapter is given to the daily walk and life of the believer.

The Second Epistle also carries splendid exhortations concerning the Christian walk.

The model church must be a church whose people live Christ out in their lives. Their words and their deeds will alike magnify His name.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR