I Thessalonians Chapter 4

I Thessalonians 4:1-8 ~ The Consecration of the Believer

The Lord saved us and set us apart and sanctified us. And He would have us to learn how to walk in our sanctification. Learn how to possess our vessels in sanctification and in honor. How important it is to do that which is pleasing in His sight and not to go by our own thinking of right and wrong. To walk in our sanctification and leave the details up to the Lord. He works things out according to His will.

I Thessalonians 4:9-12 ~ The Conduct of the Believer

I have wrestled with this over the years. People say that if you fear it is because you are not loving. What you need to do is start loving so that it gets rid of the fear. That is not what the text is talking about. The text is talking about the fact that people follow the Lord, based on fear. And Paul is saying, "Love that has been perfected casts out fear." That is, the basis for everything you do is motivated by love for Christ. Verse 19, We love Him, because He first loved us. It is responsive. I love Him based on His love for me. The more I am involved with His love and His Spirit in me, the more I have a response of love back to Him in my motives.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 ~ The Coming of the Lord

The second reason given is Continue to abound in the work of the Lord. It does not say, "Abound in church or religious activities." It says, Continually be abounding in the work of the Lord. Without this raising up, this rapture taking place for believers, there is no hope, there is no comfort. There is no motivation to continue in the things of the Lord. But we are encouraged, we are comforted, and we are told to continue to abound in the work of the Lord. It is not for nothing. It is for something.