“9Now 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, 10for 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 4:9-10 (ESV)
Most leaders know that if you want a focus on something that you simply highlight it and everything else is drowned into the background as that highlighted item is brought to “light”. I was taught once from a leader of mine that “if you see something you like, recognize it and you will see more of it”. This seeing something you like is what Paul is doing here. Drawing attention to the great work being done puts a focus on it for continued action.
What Paul did was to encourage them to continue doing well and urges them to do more of it in the name of Christ.
“1Finally, 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.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (ESV)
Paul demonstrates what right looks like for us as Christians here. He is clear in that pleasing and walking with God are instructions given. Then he acknowledges the work being done and encourages them to do more of it.
What kind of work have you seen done? Would you consider those things something that Christ would like? Would you urge and encourage more of it in the interest of pleasing God?
Trevor's Thoughts 