DISCOURSE: 2201
ADVANCEMENT IN HOLINESS ENFORCED
1 Thessalonians 4:1. We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
OUR blessed Lord, when about to leave the world, commanded his Apostles to go and “proselyte all nations” to his religion, “teaching them at the same time to observe and do all things that he had commanded them.” Thus, in their ministrations, principle and practice were to go hand in hand. But many are disposed to separate what he has thus united; some making the Gospel little else than a system of moral duties; whilst others omit duty altogether, and occupy themselves entirely in establishing their own peculiar views of its doctrines. Both of these parties we conceive to be wrong. A superstructure is nothing without a foundation; neither is a foundation any thing without a superstructure. Each indeed has its appropriate place; but both are alike important: for if, on the one hand, the superstructure will fall, without a foundation; so on the other hand, it is for the sake of the superstructure alone that the foundation is laid. St. Paul, “as a wise master-builder,” was careful at all times to lay his foundation deep and strong: but, having done this, he was careful also to raise upon it a beauteous edifice, such as God himself would delight to inhabit [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:10-11.Ephesians 2:22.]. This appears in all his epistles, not excepting those which are most devoted to the establishment of sound doctrine. In the epistle before us he seems to have had little else in view, than to assure the Thessalonians of his tender regard for them, and to excite them to the highest possible attainments in universal holiness. He was ready enough to acknowledge, that his instructions had produced the most salutary effects upon them; but he was anxious that they should still press forward for higher attainments, as long as any thing should remain to be attained.
The words which we have just read consist of an appeal, and an exhortation. Let us consider,
I. The appeal—
St. Paul had not sought to amuse them by curious speculations; nor had he given them maxims whereby they might please and gratify their fellow-creatures. His object had been to bring them to such a holy and consistent “walk,” as would be pleasing and acceptable to their God. What kind of a walk that is, it will be profitable for us to inquire.
If we would so walk as to please God, we must,
1. Walk in Christ, by a living faith—
[This is particularly required by St. Paul in the Epistle to the Colossians: “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him [Note: Colossians 2:6.].” By this is meant, that we should walk in a continual dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ for all those blessings which we stand in need of. He is the fountain of them all: they are treasured up in him, on purpose that we may have them secured for us against every enemy [Note: Colossians 3:3.]. Do we need a justifying righteousness? To him we must look for it, and from him we must receive it: “We must call him, The Lord our Righteousness [Note: Jeremiah 23:6.].” Do we need grace to sanctify and renew our souls? From him we must receive it, according to our necessities [Note: John 1:16.]. Our wisdom, our strength, our peace, our all, is in him, and must be derived from him in the exercise of faith and prayer [Note: 1 Corinthians 1:30.]. Thus it was that St. Paul himself walked: “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me [Note: Galatians 2:20.].” And thus it is that we also must live, depending on him for every thing, and glorying in him alone [Note: Isaiah 45:24-25.]
2. Walk after Christ, by a holy conversation—
[This also is particularly specified by another Apostle as essential to an acceptable walk with God: “He that abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked [Note: 1 John 2:6.].” Our blessed Lord “has left us an example, that we should follow his steps.” Like him, we must live altogether for God, making it “our meat and our drink to do his will.” Like him, we must rise superior to all worldly cares, or pleasures, or honours, “not being of the world, even as he was not of the world.” Like him, we must exercise meekness and patience, and forbearance, and love even to our bitterest enemies, never swerving in the least from the path of duty for fear of them, nor yielding to any thing of a vindictive spirit on account of them, but rendering to them, under all circumstances, good for evil, and committing ourselves entirely to the disposal of an all-wise God [Note: 1 Peter 2:21-23.]. In a word, “the same mind must be in us as was in him,” under every possible situation and circumstance of life [Note: Philippians 2:5.]: and then, as “he pleased the Father always,” so shall we infallibly be approved by him in the whole of our conversation [Note: Romans 12:2.]
The Apostle, appealing to them that he had so taught them, exhorts them to press forward in the course he had pointed out. Let us proceed then to consider,
II.
The exhortation—
In this he acknowledges, that they had already done well: but he wishes them to redouble their exertions in their heavenly way. Let us notice here,
1. The fact conceded—
[When he says, “Ye have received of us,” he does not mean merely that they had heard his instructions, but that they had so heard them as to be influenced by them. It was at all times a delight to the Apostle to acknowledge the good that was in his converts, and to bestow commendation on them as far as it was due. And it is with unfeigned joy, that we can make the same acknowledgment respecting those to whom we have ministered, We bless God that many have been brought to live by faith upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and “so to walk as they have him for an ensample [Note: Of course, a congregation should be well known before such concessions are made. They come best from a stated pastor, who is well acquainted with their spiritual condition.]:” and it is our earnest desire and prayer to God, that our ministrations may produce the same blessed effect on all. But whatever advances you may have made in the divine life, we must call your attention to,]
2. The duty urged—
[Paul would not that any one of his converts should faint or be weary in well-doing. “The path of the just is like that of the sun,” which advances without intermission to its meridian height and splendour [Note: Proverbs 4:18.]. Having begun to run well, we must continue; yea, like racers in a course, we must forget that which is behind, and press forward with ever-increasing ardour to that which is before, exerting ourselves the more, the nearer we approach the goal [Note: Philippians 3:13-14.]. Behold then our duty: Have we begun to “walk in Christ Jesus?” let us live more entirely upon him every day we live. Let us resemble the branch of a vine, which incessantly derives its sap and nourishment from the stock, and derives it only in order to its more abundant production of the choicest fruit [Note: John 15:4-5.]. Have we begun to “walk after Christ?” let us seek a more entire conformity to his image, yea, a perfect transformation into it “from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:18.].” We must know no bounds, no limits to our exertions: we must seek to “grow up into him in all things,” to attain “the full measure of his stature [Note: Ephesians 4:13; Ephesians 4:15.],” be “holy as he is holy,” and “perfect as he is perfect.”]
The affectionate and earnest manner in which the Apostle urges this duty upon them, will furnish us with an important and appropriate conclusion—
He might well have enjoined these things in an authoritative manner; but “for love’s sake he rather besought them [Note: Philem. ver. 8, 9.].” But what an argument did he use! “I exhort you by the Lord Jesus!” By this sacred name I would also beseech you, beloved brethren: I would entreat you,
1. By the consideration of all that he has done and suffered for you—
[Can you reflect on the humiliation, the labours, the sufferings to which he submitted for you, and not long to requite him to the utmost of your power? He never assigned any bounds to his love, and will you fix any bounds to yours? He never ceased from his work, till he could say, “It is finished:” and will you stop short in yours? O brethren, “this is our wish, even your perfection [Note: 2 Corinthians 13:9.].” Let the same be your wish, your labour, your continual pursuit.]
2. By the consideration of all the interest that he yet takes in your welfare—
[Night and day is he occupied in promoting the salvation of your souls. Though seated on his Father’s throne, and partaking of all his Father’s glory, he is not forgetful of you. On the contrary, he is making continual intercession for you, and administering the affairs of the whole creation for your good. Does he see you deviating in any respect from the path which he trod? “Father,” he cries, “forgive them, and lay not this sin to their charge.” Does he see the powers of darkness striving to ensnare you? He sends a host of angels to your aid, that they may “minister unto you,” and “hold you up in their hands, that you dash not your foot against a stone.” Does he see you ready to faint in your spiritual course? “Go,” says he, “go, my Spirit, strengthen the hands, and encourage the heart, of that drooping saint:” “Take of the things that are mine, and shew them unto him:” “glorify me before him:” and “fulfil in him all my good pleasure.”
Now then, when the Saviour thus cares for you, will you intermit your care for him? When he is thus managing your concerns, will you not with increasing confidence commit them to his care? When he is doing every thing that can possibly be done for you, will you leave any thing undone that can be done for him?]
3. By the consideration of the honour he will derive from you—
[He himself tells us, that “his Father is glorified in our fruitfulness [Note: John 15:8.].” And St. Paul speaks of Christ also as magnified in his body, whether by life or death [Note: Philippians 1:20.]. What a thought is this! Can you, my brethren, glorify the Father, and magnify the Lord Jesus, and will you not strive to do it? Know assuredly, that “your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ” does cause him to be exceedingly magnified: and the more “the exceeding grace of God” appears in you, the more of praises and adoration and thanksgiving will abound to him [Note: 2 Corinthians 9:13-14.]. Let this blessed prospect animate your souls: and whereinsoever you have hitherto glorified him, seek to “abound more and more.”]
4. By the consideration of the glory that will accrue to him in the day of judgment—
[In that great day the Lord Jesus “Christ will be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe [Note: 2 Thessalonians 1:10.].” The brighter his image shone upon them here, the more radiance will appear around them there; and all will be as jewels to compose his crown [Note: Malachi 3:17.]. When the demoniac had confessed his inability to withstand the Lord Jesus, and yet had prevailed over seven men who attempted to cast out the evil spirit, we are told that “the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified [Note: Acts 19:17.].” How then will it be magnified, when the extent of his power in you shall be seen, and your once dark polluted souls shall shine forth as the sun in the firmament for ever and ever! Now then is the time for you to exalt his name, and to augment his glory to all eternity. It is but a little time that you will be able to do any thing for him: when death comes, all your opportunities to advance his glory will cease for ever. Up then, and be doing. We have shewn you how to walk and to please God, and you have begun the blessed work: but O, we entreat you to abound more and more! And may “the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen [Note: Hebrews 13:20-21.].”]