Conscious Christian Living -part 2

1 Thessalonians 4:1–2 “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.”

Philadelphia: Brotherly or family love

Romans 5:5 “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

The practical application of living a life of brotherly love is seen through:

1. Quiet (restful) lives

Acts 22:2 “And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:”

2 Thessalonians 3:12 “Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

1 Timothy 2:2 “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

1 Timothy 2:11 “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.”

Talkativeness

Acts 21:40 “And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:”

1 Corinthians 14:34 “the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 4:11

The former means “undisturbed, settled, not noisy,” while the latter means “silent.”

2. Minding our own affairs

Proverbs 25:17 “Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.”

3. Working with our hands

1 Thessalonians 2:9 “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.”

2 Thessalonians 3:6–12 “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

Charles Spurgeon and his wife, according to a story in the Chaplain magazine, would sell, but refused to give away, the eggs their chickens laid. Even close relatives were told, “You may have them if you pay for them.” As a result some people labeled the Spurgeons greedy and grasping.

They accepted the criticisms without defending themselves, and only after Mrs. Spurgeon died was the full story revealed. All the profits from the sale of eggs went to support two elderly widows. Because the Spurgeons where unwilling to let their left hand know what the right hand was doing they endured the attacks in silence.

We’d all like a reputation for generosity, and we’d all like to buy it cheap.

Matthew 6:3 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,”

Unbelievers do not separate our faith from our behavior—nor should we

Such a life, builds a testimony that:

1. Gains the respect of non-Christians

2. Displays financial independence

1 Thessalonians 4:9 “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,”

1 Thessalonians 4:10 “for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 “and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,”

1 Thessalonians 4:12 “so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”

John 6:45 “It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—”

Hebrews 8:11 “And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.”

1 John 2:20 “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.”

1 John 2:27 “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”

2 Thessalonians 3:11 “For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.”

2 Thessalonians 3:12 “Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

Romans 13:13 “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.”