WALK WORTHY OF GOD

1 Thess 2:10-12 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 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.

In Paul's visits to Thessalonica, it is evident that he had lived in their presence, as well as in the presence of God, for a sufficient time to allow them to observe, and come to know, his outward conduct, that he demonstrated before all people. No doubt they knew of his past as a devout Pharisee, that had once severely persecuted the church of Christ, and those that preached His New Testament gospel message of salvation. He, more than likely, had made the same confession to them that he presented to the Christians of Corinth. To that church of Christ, Paul said that he had renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God (2 Cor. 4:2).

In his second letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul openly discussed his holy, just, and unblameable manner of life among them. He wrote, For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us (2 Thess. 3:7-9).

Both as a Jew and as a Christian; both as a disbeliever of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, and as a true and faithful, believing follower of the Savior, Paul's zealous dedication could not be denied. In his trial before the governor, Felix, Paul gave this testimony about himself: And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men (Acts 24:16). As strongly as Paul had believed spiritual error as a devout Jewish Pharisee, once he was confronted, and converted, by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he became an even stronger follower of the Savior, by preaching His message of salvation, to both Jew and Gentile, throughout the world. Paul's undeniable devotion to the cause of Christ was witnessed by God, by those of Thessalonica, and, today, is witnessed by all that are privileged to read, and study, his Holy Spirit-inspired gospel messages. Paul's behavior before those of Thessalonica could not be challenged. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children. He had treated them as an earnest, tender, and loving parent; he was deeply concerned about both their physical and spiritual well-being.

Because of his love and devotion to them, Paul gave them this truly wonderful exhortation: That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His kingdom and glory. God's promise of the hope of eternal salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ is real, and He is not slack concerning His promise, ... but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9). The fulfillment of this promise can be found only by those that hear, and by faith, obediently come into His kingdom,through repentance of their sinful past, confession of Jesus as the Son of God, and baptism into the body of Christ, for the remission of their sins.

By these obedient acts one becomes an adopted child of God, and a brother or sister of His Son, Jesus Christ. Then, and only then, can one be called a Christian and have the ability, privilege, and duty to walk worthy of God. Just how does one walk worthy of God? We do so when we are pleasing in His sight, ...fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10). We do so when we grow in His grace and abound more and more (1 Thess. 4:1). We do so when we recognize and avoid the darkness of sin and walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another (1 John 1:6-7). We do so when we walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor (Eph. 5:2). We do so when we faithfully and continually press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).

Those that hear and obey His call to salvation, will, as did the apostle Paul, honor God by holily, and justly, and unblameably, act in the presence of the world,as Christians should, and walk worthy of God.