Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 340

December 6, 2018;      I Thessalonians 4:11;       186/260(III);        ‘A Quiet Life’

1 Thessalonians 4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

This verse blesses me.  I think a man or woman who does not meddle in the business of others, works hard and goes home every night to be a loving spouse and parent is the way we were created to live.  Someone who does this, goes out of their way not to draw attention to themselves.  As you read this verse in context, I do not think it means that you isolate yourself from everything going on around you.  Verses 9 &10 tells us that the congregation had  been taught to love one another and they do.  Paul encourages them to walk in love even more.  As a Christian, conducting yourself in a kindly and courteous manner, never trying to draw attention to yourself, draws attention to yourself.  A godly man or woman draws attention without trying simply by their Christlikeness.  Verse 12 lets us know that as we walk properly before the unsaved, the Lord will bless us.  “Why are you so nice?” will be asked of you.  Though you do not seek the attention, as a Christian, you surely desire to share your faith.  When you behave in a Christlike manner, so very differently than those who do not yet know Jesus, you will be noticed.  Godly behavior though not understood by the lost, draws the lost like a magnet.  The world may not understand you and initially resent you or think you are a little strange.  But as they get to know you and are treated by you with the love Jesus treats you with, your quiet life will become the desire of their heart too.