1 Thessalonians 4

Living to Please God: Reflections on 1 Thessalonians 4

As we dove into 1 Thessalonians 4 this week, a few verses immediately stood out to us. Paul begins the chapter with a simple but powerful encouragement:

“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.”

Right from the start, we’re reminded that the Christian life is not a one-time act of obedience but a lifelong journey of growing in love, faith, and holiness.

Living to Please God: A Love Relationship, Not a Dictatorship

One thing that struck us in our conversation was how people sometimes misunderstand what it means to “live to please God.” We’ve heard skeptics say, “Why would God want us to do what pleases Him? Isn’t that selfish or controlling?” But that perspective sees God through the wrong lens.

God didn’t create us to be subjects under a dictator. He created us for a love relationship. When we understand that, the idea of pleasing Him changes entirely.

Think about it: in a healthy marriage or friendship, we naturally want to do things that bring the other person joy—not out of fear, but out of love. When we love someone deeply, we delight in serving and blessing them. The same is true in our relationship with God. We’re not trying to appease a demanding ruler; we’re responding to a loving Father who desires our good.

As Paul reminds us, the instructions he gives aren’t arbitrary rules meant to restrict us—they’re a gift. God’s guidance is a path toward freedom, wholeness, and life. He shows us what will hurt us and what will bring us closer to joy. When we live in that love relationship, pleasing Him becomes a source of delight, not duty.

God’s Word Carries His Authority—and His Heart

In verses 2 and 8, Paul makes something else clear: his words carry the authority of Jesus Himself. He writes,

“For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus… Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

That’s a bold statement. Paul isn’t claiming personal authority—he’s pointing to divine authority. Yet, even here, we see God’s heart of love. He doesn’t give us instruction to control us; He gives us truth because He wants what’s best for us.

When we open Scripture, we’re not just reading ancient advice. We’re hearing the loving voice of a Father who knows the best way for His children to live. That reframes how we approach obedience. It’s not about rule-keeping—it’s about trusting the One who loves us enough to speak truth into our lives.

A Quiet Life That Speaks Loudly

Later in the chapter, Paul shifts to something beautifully practical:

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands… so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders.”

These verses made us smile. They reminded us of the simple joy of working with our hands—whether it’s baking bread, building something, or just completing a small task with focus and care. There’s a grounding, peaceful rhythm in that. When we’re fully present in the work before us, we have less room for distraction, gossip, or comparison.

And Paul’s reason for this way of living is powerful: our everyday life can win the respect of outsiders. The way we live—the quiet faithfulness, the joy, the diligence—can become a living testimony of God’s goodness. People notice when there’s something different about the way we carry ourselves, the way we love, and the peace we bring into the spaces we inhabit.

That’s the beauty of this passage. It starts with love—God’s love for us—and ends with that same love overflowing into the world around us.

Living This Out

As we reflect on 1 Thessalonians 4, we’re reminded to begin each day by receiving God’s love first. When we sit in the truth that we are deeply loved children of God, everything else flows naturally. From that place, obedience isn’t a burden—it’s a joy. Work isn’t just work—it’s worship. And the way we live becomes a quiet but powerful testimony to the world of who God is.

May we continue, as Paul says, to “do this more and more.”