What are you excelling at in your life right now? Paul indicates to the Thessalonicans that, though they are walking well in the way they are following Jesus, they should strive to excel even more. We have used that phrase to be a distinctive of how we will strive to live as church members at FBC Newton:
“I Am a Disciple.
I Am a Disciple-Maker.
And I Am a Missionary.
So as I am going,
I will change my conversations, and
I will excel still more.”
This year, we have also added these three habits: And I will study, practice, and teach God’s Word.
As disciples, we are to walk like Jesus walked.
And, according to 1 Thess 4, we are to Excel Still More.
In verse 1, Paul says: “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 excel still more.”
They were walking in a way to please God, but Paul urged them to excel even more.
And then again, in verse 10, as Paul speaks about them being people of love toward others, he states: “…Indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more.”
Therefore, I encourage each of us who are disciples, to take up these commitments:
1. I will excel still more in my understanding of God and obedience to Him.
2. I Will Love God’s Word
3. I Will Love to Pray
4. I Will Love to Obey
5. I Will Use my spiritual gifts to build up the church.
If you are not doing these things – reading God’s Word regularly, praying daily, serving in a way that builds up the church, then you are not properly fulfilling your role of being a disciple.
Let us be focused on excelling still more as followers and disciples of Jesus.