INTERSECT

Love More. Live Quietly. Mind Your Own Business. Work Hard. Repeat.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

I sometimes wonder if most Christians know what it takes to share their faith effectively. They might list knowing the Bible, speaking boldly about their faith, and regularly engaging strangers in conversation. Certainly, these actions help us share our faith. But they all deal with our verbal presentation of the gospel—our talk. However, if we truly want to be faithful, effective witnesses, the message starts with how we live—our walk. Our normal, everyday routine can have a profound impact on those around us.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, the Apostle Paul listed four areas with a direct correlation to the effectiveness of our witness. You might describe them as four goals for life.

1. Love more. In verse 9, the word translated brotherly love is the same word for which Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love) was named. The accompanying phrase taught by God, used only this one time in the New Testament, literally means “God-taught.” These Thessalonian believers were being taught by God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to love one another.

This type of brotherly love within the church comes by the Holy Spirit. It is not mushy sentimentality but genuine love that treats others the way we wish to be treated, demonstrating love through deeds, not just words.

Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love. Not programs. Not logos. Not by a dress code or a brightly-colored Christian bumper sticker. Genuine love for one another lets the world know we are God’s children. His kind of love stands as a powerful witness in a world filled with hate.

2. Live quietly. To live quietly doesn’t mean we should be quiet about the gospel. The Apostle Paul often urged believers to be bold in sharing their faith. Yet, in this passage, Paul calls upon believers to live in a quiet or peaceable way, avoiding attention or stirring up trouble.

Today, we live in a “look at me” world. People constantly draw attention to themselves, living loudly rather than living quietly. When Paul urged readers to live quietly, he used a play on words in the original language, pairing two contradictions to drive home his point. He coupled restless striving with peace or quiet. In stark contrast to being ambitious or making a stir, we should aim for quiet living.

Robert Picirilli translates this phrase as not “making waves.” If you have ever been to a waterpark wave pool, you probably remember the deafening siren just before the waves begin. The calm water suddenly starts moving, and waves begin rising and falling. Soon, the pool is anything but calm and quiet! The disturbance in the water is the whole point (and great fun for some). In our lives, however, we must strive to be the kind of people who calm the waters rather than make waves.

3. Mind your own business. Paul continued by urging the Thessalonians to mind their own affairs, to stop putting their noses in the business of others. We all know what this type of meddling sounds like: “I wonder why they let their kids to do that?” “I wonder if they really need another new car?” “Did you see what she is wearing today?”

None. Of. My. Business.

MY life is my responsibility. This doesn’t mean we live in isolation from others. That we cannot or should not act as Christians, speaking up when we see brothers and sisters making bad decisions or heading down dangerous roads. It is biblical to be our brother’s keeper in that sense. But we all know the difference between having others’ backs and meddling in their business. To put this warning in today’s language, we need to “stay in our lane.”

Minding our own business brings a sense of freedom: “Here is my sphere, the area of the world for which I am responsible. I’ll take care of it and leave the rest for everyone else”.

4. Work hard. This final admonition is obviously tied or connected to the preceding warning. Not only should we stay out of the business of others, but we must also be diligent to take care of our own business. That’s the contrasting point. Paul called for everyone who could work physically to do just that.

Today, far too many people expect a “free ride” and seek ways to avoid work. That is sad, because work brings a profound sense of purpose, along with the knowledge we are making valuable contributions to society. Paul’s simple, straightforward teaching is refreshing. We should be busy with the work to which we have been called. And Paul was blunt: those unwilling to work shouldn’t expect others to provide for them.

As this passage concludes, two purposes emerge. First, be a good witness by loving others and living quietly. Second, avoid being dependent on others. To summarize simply: get up in the morning, love more, live quietly, mind your own business, and work hard. Then go to bed, rest well, get up and do it all over again.

“There’s got to be more,” you might say. “That sounds boring.”

I admit, it doesn’t make much of a splash, but maybe that is the point. This simple way of living is pleasing to God and meaningful and fulfilling to us. When we strive for and reach these simple lifestyle goals, we become faithful witnesses for Christ…before we ever say a word.

About the Columnist: Dr. Barry Raper pastors Bethel FWB Church near Ashland City, Tennessee. He also serves as program coordinator for ministry studies at Welch College. Barry and his wife Amanda have five children.