10-19-05 1Thessalonians 4:1

1Thessalonians 4:1 (KJ21)
Furthermore then, we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received from us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NAS)
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NIVUS)
Finally, brothers, 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.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NRSV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more.

1Thessalonians 4:1 (NLT)
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more.

Perhaps you have come to a place of satisfaction in your Christian life. You may think that you have reached a summit and you cannot see anything higher. However, the Apostle Paul, who had more comprehension of the revelation of Jesus Christ than anyone else, admitted that he was still pressing on.

When writing to the Thessalonian church, Paul stated that there was something still remaining for them. In fact, he went so far as to beseech and entreat these believers to make a special note of his words. He emphasized that they needed to seek, investigate, and search out what he was telling them.

Like the Thessalonians, it is right and proper for you to search for more ways to be pleasing to the Lord. It is always good for you to accommodate yourself to Adonai's opinions, desires, and interests, for you have acknowledged and professed yourself to be His associate and companion. Therefore, you should not reject His word nor withhold your obedience. You should also give the Lord access to yourself and also receive everything that He offers you.

So far you have done your best to regulate your life in line with God's will. You have matched your steps to His and have walked in His way. You have taken advantage of the opportunities that Adonai, the Lord your God, has provided and you have made progress. However, you should strive always to excel even more in your advance. As you make your way, keeping your eyes on God, you will thwart Satan in his persecutions and you will circumvent every peril that you encounter. The Lord will abundantly furnish everything for your success and you will become superior and pre-eminent. Your life will go from being "good" to being "remarkable."