Deeper Reflection
PAUL’S GOAL IN EXHORTING, ENCOURAGING AND IMPLORING the Thessalonians was they “walk in a manner worthy of God” (v.12). It means then, that this also ought to be our goal in life. “Walk” speaks of “the way one conducts oneself – either [positively] before God or [negatively] in sin”²³. In seeking to live our lives worthy of God, it is helpful that we consider two other facts: God is worthy and we are unworthy.God is the One who alone is worthy of anything. There will come the day when “the Lord alone” – no one else and nothing else – “will be exalted” (Isa 2:17). God and the Lamb are “worthy to receive” the sevenfold (symbolising completeness and fullness) “power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing” (Rev 4:11; 5:12). On the other extreme end, we are unworthy of God. Jacob said to God, “I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to Your servant” (Gen 32:10). And Paul said of himself, “I am unworthy to be called an apostle” (1 Cor 15:9). Note that Paul was speaking in the present tense. He felt that way continually. How then can we, who are unworthy of God, live a life worthy of God, who alone is worthy? It is “by the grace of God” (1 Cor 15:10). It is by God’s saving grace through the blood of Christ and God’s empowering grace through the Holy Spirit. There is no place for any sense of personal achievement.

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¹⁶ Gene L. Green, 137