“Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God, as you are doing, do this even more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1)
Don’t settle. Don’t stop. Don’t coast. This is Paul’s heart for you today. No matter where you are in your journey with Jesus, whether you’re in high school or retirement, whether you’ve been following him for two months or twenty years, there’s more ahead. More of his presence to experience. More of his character to reflect. More joy to discover. More holiness to grow into. God’s will for your life is sanctification, becoming more and more like Jesus. And that process doesn’t stop until he takes you home or returns for you.
When you fall down (and you will), God isn’t standing over you with condemnation. He’s like a father watching his toddler learn to walk. He’s cheering you on, getting down on your level, encouraging you to get back up and take another step. Yes, you messed up. Yes, you fell short. But today you’re still in the race. Today you can take one more step toward holiness. Maybe last time you made it five steps before falling. Can you make it six today? Seven? God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for progress. He’s inviting you into the abundant life that Jesus came to bring, a life of knowing him deeply and thriving in his presence. So get back up. Keep running. Keep growing. There’s so much more ahead for you.
Reflect:
- What area of your spiritual life have you been coasting in rather than continuing to grow?
- How does knowing that God encourages rather than condemns you change your motivation to pursue holiness?
- Thank God that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Ask him to give you fresh energy and conviction to keep growing in holiness, not out of guilt or shame, but out of desire for more of his presence and joy in your life.
