… ¹¹just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, ¹²so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Paul had a penchant for reminding people of his behavior among them. This might seem odd to present-day readers, but remember this was before the time of modern transportation and instantaneous communication. Travel through the Roman Empire, while advanced by ancient world standards, was quite slow and intermittent by today’s standards. The apostle’s short tenure in Thessalonica needed written reinforcement.

Paul’s reminders reflect effective pedagogy, a form of repetition used to educate people in the Christian lifestyle. He buttressed his oral teachings by modeling what he taught, followed by written reminders. Very effective!

Further, his teaching method was not of the ivory-tower flavor, contrary to many sermons, or should we say theology lectures, found in many churches on Sunday mornings. Such teaching appeals to the mind only. Paul rather taught as a parent with his own children, “exhorting and encouraging and imploring.” The first of these lies in the territory of the Holy Spirit, who is our “paraclete,” (the underlying Greeks words are closely related – see John 14:16 where the related word for the Spirit is rendered “helper”). Paul was working in concert with the Holy Spirit, helpfully exhorting the new believers in Thessalonica.

The apostle also made it a practice to encourage (sometimes translated “comfort”) and to challenge (“implore”) them. This latter is variously translated “charge” (ESV, NKJV) and “urge” (NIV). Literally, Paul says he and his co-workers were “testifying to” each one of Thessalonian believers. Throwing down the gauntlet, he essentially charges them, “If you are genuine believers whom Christ has truly made new, then live authentically.” The actual words he uses reflect this, “walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (vs. 12).

Paul is not implying that the believers in Thessalonica were falling short. He is calling them to continue and to grow in the walk. Don’t let up! There is no cruising gear in the Christian life, never a sense of having attained to spiritual maturity. There is a constant challenge to keep walking worthy. Christlikeness knows no stagnation, nor maintenance mode at a certain level of spiritual maturity. If we take this challenge seriously as Paul intends, we will be constantly striving to walk worthy of God—that is what brings glory to Him.

Lord, I confess that when I begin to coast, I stray from Your kingdom and glory. Help me by Your Spirit and prodding of Your Word to continue to press ahead.