Pleasing God: A Godly Lifestyle, Not a Checklist

Paul calls all Christians to holy lives, emphasizing sexual purity and growing brotherly love for each other. He also urges us to live thoughtfully, considering Christ’s return and the coming resurrection from the dead. When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians, he rebuked them for one sin after another: their involvement with incest and prostitutes, their lawsuits, and their lack of love. By contrast, the apostle did not correct the Thessalonians for any such behavior. Paul only has to urge them to continue living right with regard to sex (4:3–5), holy relationships (4:6), Christian love (4:9–10), and work (4:11–12). We should work hard at living wholesome, responsible lives, not only to please God but also to achieve a good reputation for Christ’s church and his people.