Simplicity. That was the message for the Church in Thessalonica. Most Bible scholars believe 1 Thessalonians as the oldest book in the New Testament, and it makes sense that simplicity is a central theme. Discovering what it meant to be Christian was complex in the context of figuring out where to land amidst freedom in Christ and the Law. Two passages tie this simplicity theme together:
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that that you will not be dependent on anybody." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
A quiet life. Simple. Don't let the world get too complex on you because people need to see something in you that is not of this world. This message is clear directions for earlier followers of Jesus called to make an impact on the world. Others are watching. Outsiders are watching. That's been one of the problems with the Church. We have talked a good game, but our daily lives haven't won the respect of outsiders. How do we do that? Well...how do we talk with people? How do we deal with people in business? How do we handle a problems with other people? What kind of parent are we? What kind of child are we? What kind of friend are we? Our daily lives are either going to win respect or solicit disrespect. The Apostle Paul, the writer of 1 Thessalonians, spells it out further in chapter 5.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
That's what a quiet life that wins the respect of all people looks like: joyful, prayerful, grateful. That is a different kind of person the world normally experiences. That is the kind of person that earns respect. Paul says that those that follow Jesus should have a joyful attitude, and we are able to do this because we are always in a state of prayer, always in communication with our Creator. When we do this, we are able to give thanks IN all circumstances, not FOR all circumstances. That's a big difference. Sometimes circumstances sometimes stink. However, our attitudes don't have to stink. And, our relationship with Jesus doesn't have to stink. When we are in a state of prayer and we have the right attitude, we are able to be thankful for what we do have when the circumstances aren't so great. When we do that, we lead a life that wins respect from all we encounter. The world is at the mercy of circumstances. Our faith supersedes circumstances. God is good even when life isn't. It's just that...simple.
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