¹Finally 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.

Paul was a spiritual challenger if he was anything. He was an apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher—the consummate equipper (see Eph. 4:11)—but in all these, he was a challenger. He constantly challenged people to move ahead in their spiritual journey. He was constantly calling others to emulate him as he was always pressing ahead (Phil. 3:12–15). Here he is doing exactly that with the Thessalonians. They had been doing well, as he had pointed out in the previous three chapters. This is no time to coast; they must press on ahead. Despite his earlier affirmation, there is more to be done.

This is not just an invitation for those who have an inclination to live a more committed life, as though some have a natural inclination to greater sacrifice. No! This is an apostolic request, a command. The term “request” often carries the sense of urging, begging, or imploring. “Exhort” makes this clear, moving it into the realm of a command. Paul’s exhortations are never legalistic injunctions but come from a passionate heart that sees the end game clearly. Thus he pulls no punches in appealing to Christians.

His command is “in the Lord Jesus,” that is, this doesn’t come from his own human reasoning about what are the “best practices” for Christian sanctification, but from a consciousness of genuine spiritual principles. As with all of Paul’s teachings, we take this as from the Lord and for all believers, not just those in Thessalonica. We should continue to “walk and please God” and continue to “excel still more.”

The human flesh easily takes offense at this constant urging to press forward. We need a break, a vacation from spirituality once in a while, don’t we? Don’t mistake physical and emotional rest for breaks in spiritual growth. Jesus took His disciples away to “rest a while” (Mark 6:31), but they were resting with Jesus, not taking a break from Him. When we take our needed breaks or vacations to recuperate our bodies, minds, and emotions, we ought not to take a rest from God. Nor should we confuse this with the rest that the book of Hebrews talks about, which is gaining relief from legalistic motivations in our spiritual walk. Our times of physical rest should be strategic opportunities for spiritual retrenchment, recharging, and renewal so that we can continue to press ahead. Whatever we do, we must build on what we have begun, to keep excelling in our spiritual walk of love, faith, and hope.

Lord, help me to keep pressing ahead, even when I rest!