As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (KJV)
Introduction – Paul’s Goal in Teaching
Paul’s ministry placed a considerable emphasis on teaching others to walk worthy of God. (Eph. 4:1, Col. 1:10, Eph. 5:8)
This is illustrated perfectly in these verses. We see that Paul and company encouraged, comforted, and vouched for the Thessalonians so that they would walk worthy of God.
“In your daily interactions with people, are you cultivating in them a walk that is worthy of God?”They cared so greatly for the Thessalonian flock, that their actions are even described as fatherly.
As such, we see the great responsibilities that come with the territory of fatherhood manifested in their interactions with the church – training, loving, protecting and building up to name a few. (1 Thess. 2:7, 1 Thess. 2:9)
Yet resting at the heart of each of these actions was a desire by Paul and the others to see the Thessalonians walk worthy of God. That is what they cared about.
We too must lead others to walk worthy of God, and we must walk worthy of God in our own lives as well.
Leading Others to a Walk Worthy of God
As Christians our interactions with other believers ought to have the same goal in mind as Paul and company.
Think about it. When you lead others, give advice or are a role model, what’s your motive?
Are you speaking into someone’s life, building them up, pointing them in the right direction, stewarding them, shepherding them, or befriending them to enable them to walk worthy of God?
Such an attitude doesn’t just apply to leadership, it applies to all of our actions with others.
In your daily interactions with people, are you cultivating in them a walk that is worthy of God?
Is God’s kingdom, and in his glory in mind when you socialize with your brothers and sisters in Christ?
What about in your own life? When others have taught you so that you would walk worthy of God, did you walk the walk or merely talk the talk?
In the end, a life that assents to walking worthy of God will bear fruit and grow in its knowledge of God. (Col. 1:10)
Hopefully we are provoking others and ourselves to seek such results and blessings. (Heb. 10:24)
Step Out and Walk
Notice, Paul’s goal was that the Thessalonians would walk worthy of God. His teaching was done to positively effect their future trajectory.
His priority for teaching was firmly grounded in the believer’s sanctification because the Christian life is about walking forward and becoming ever more like Jesus.
It’s about redeeming the time, bringing in the harvest while there is still time, forgetting what’s behind and pressing forward and accomplishing what God has for us to do. (Eph. 5:16, Jn. 4:35, Phil. 3:13-14, Eph. 2:10)“A life that assents to walking worthy of God will bear fruit and grow in its knowledge of God.”
However, if you haven’t being walking in a manner worthy of God, don’t let fear keep you stationary.
Don’t try to back track either in an effort to make everything from the past right; God did that when he died for your sins and he wants you to look forward now, not backward.
This of course does not mean avoiding consequences from your past actions or ignoring making amends.
However, it does mean not remaining in your past. If you do have to confront things from old times you are now to do so as the new born again believer that you are with your eyes set on heaven. (2 Cor. 5:17, Col. 3:2)
Nevertheless, take the first step forward and begin to walk again. It’s not about where you’ve walked, but how and where you will walk going forward and the life you will purpose and craft for Christ that matters. Walk worthy of God.
Conclusion
Paul and company taught and encouraged Christians to walk worthy of God.
We must also ensure that we hold true to this commitment in our interactions with others.
Of course, we can only do that if we too are walking worthy of God. This means striving towards heaven and God’s purpose for our lives instead of remaining stuck in the past or letting fear keep us in place.
May we always remember all of the great and mighty things God has done for us, especially that he has called us unto his eternal home and glory.
May we gladly allow God’s grace to enable us to walk worthy of him and may we ask him to help us teach others to do the same.
Soli Deo gloria!
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