Anticipating Christ Compels Our Personal and Public Relationships.

Transparent spiritual relationships in the local church take hard work, but they are worth it. These relationships are more meaningful than checking off the number of times you attend church services. Christians cannot live the Christian life without each other.

Spiritual growth begins and ends with God. It is governed by a sweet disposition. As we face affliction together, we grow together.

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 sets up today's passage by emphasizing God's trait of holiness. Growth together makes us more like Christ and less like our culture. A primary characteristic that will be counter to any culture is abstaining from sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). In the Thessalonians' world as in ours, immorality seems normative.

A common solution to sexual temptations is employing an accountability partner. These are helpful, but their influence is only situational. What about the rest of life? There is no area of life we can govern without Jesus Christ. True discipleship develops deep spiritual relationships that address every area of life. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to keep growing together and excelling in holiness.

3 Virtues of Love (1 Thessalonians 4:11)

Christians who are growing together will not make issues out of non-issues. They are not dominated by politics, family loyalty, or pet doctrines; but God's Word governs their life.

Christians busy with discipling each other mind their own business. There is no time for gossip when you are studying and living the Word personally, in your family, and with others in your church!

Christians who grow together in the church work hard outside the church. Their testimony with unbelievers is one of longevity and integrity.

Application Points

• Does your life exhibit holiness that increasingly looks like Christ? There is no area of life we can govern without Jesus Christ. Do you have a deep spiritual relationship with permission to address every area of life? Keep growing together and excelling in holiness.

• How good are you at minding your own business? Discipleship does not give you permission to be intrinsically nosy! Stay busy studying the Word of God and living it both personally and corporately.

• Christians who are growing together will not make issues out of non-issues. Are you dominated by politics, family loyalty, or pet doctrines? Or does God's Word govern your life?

• Are you a hard worker? Do your coworkers and boss know you as faithful?

Tools for Further Study

A Hymn to Encourage: "You Are the Lord"

You are eternal, God of ages past --
Alpha, Omega, You, the First, the Last!
None may compare; there is no god beside You.
Holy! Unchanging! There is none like You!

You are the Lord! You are our God!
Father, Son, and Spirit! You are the Lord!

You are Creator, God of everything --
You spread the heavens, You made the stars to sing;
You made the earth, creating man to know You.
Sovereign! Almighty! There is none like You!

You are Redeemer, God of boundless love --
Father who chooses, Son who shed Your blood;
Spirit who grants new birth that we might trust You.
Gracious and merciful! There is none like You!

You are exalted, God of endless praise --
Saints from all nations praise you all their days.
Gathered around Your throne, we will exalt You.
Worthy and glorious! There is none like You.