This morning’s Scriptures are: Psalm 16; Psalm 17; Isaiah 3:8–15; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12; Luke 20:41–21:4
This morning’s Canticles are: following the OT reading, Canticle 10 (“The Second Song of Isaiah,” Isaiah 55:6–11; BCP, p. 86); following the Epistle reading, Canticle 18 (“A Song to the Lamb,” Revelation 4:11; 5:9–10, 13, BCP, p. 93)
Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians make for especially important reading during Advent. It appears from the Book of Acts that Paul’s evangelizing foray into their city had been cut short. He had taught there for only “three sabbaths” when “zealous” Jews “enlisted the help of a gang from the market place, stirred up a crowd, and soon had the whole city in an uproar” (Acts 17:2,5 Jerusalem Bible). The “brethren” decided Paul needed to leave (Acts 17:10). The questions that Paul addresses in subsequent letters to them indicate that the new converts in Thessalonica have follow up questions about one matter that Paul had introduced but had not been able to explain in full: that is, the second coming of Christ.
In the second half of today’s chapter (tomorrow’s reading), Paul will clarify what happens to those who will have already died by the time Christ returns (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). And in 2 Thessalonians, Paul will respond to false rumors that he has taught that “the coming of the Lord and our being gathered together to him” has actually already taken place—as if! (Second Thessalonians 2:1–11—that will be next Thursday’s reading.)
With a wisdom that seems heaven-sent to me, Paul urges believers not to allow worry or speculation about the “not yet” of Christ’s return take away from the enormous importance of living for Christ in the “now.” That is the thrust of today’s epistle reading.
Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God (as, in fact, you are doing), you should do so more and more. For this is the will of God, your sanctification… — 1 Thessalonians 4:1–3a. The Thessalonians’ concerns about the end of time leads Paul to offer this most straightforward, helpful, and encouraging framing of the Christian life.
When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he had taught them that followers of Christ live in a certain way. Their lives in the present can actually be pleasing to God (that is worth thinking about!). There is one life-goal for people who have been justified before the bar of God’s justice and forgiven their sins: to become sanctified, to grow in holiness and in likeness to their Lord. Paul is quick to affirm people when he sees them living that way, as he does here with the Thessalonians. He “asks” and “urges” them to do more of what they are already doing. Based on these verses, some students of Paul’s ethics sum up his approach in a formula that looks like this: “Become more of what you already are!” It’s as though Paul were saying: the future will take care of itself; let’s take care of what’s happening now. Personally, I find that to be life-giving.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication… — 1 Thessalonians 4:3. Paul is concerned that the first thing that will go out the window if the Thessalonians become preoccupied with “end times” questions is their sense of sexual propriety. (I won’t go into the details of what Paul means by “controlling your own body” and “not exploiting your brother or sister.”) He exhorts them to practice philadelphia (brotherly love, v. 9) and agapē (self-giving love) toward one another (v. 9). But throughout this paragraph, he’s talking about honoring one another sexually. It’s as though he were able prophetically to look down the corridors of time and perceive an overthrow of sexual and interpersonal norms ahead of the coming kingdom. As early as the 14th century, Catholic heretics known as the Cologne Beghards advocated freedom without restraint for the new believer, without regard for the other person, in any kind of relationship (see the discussion in Robert Jewett, The Thessalonian Correspondence: Pauline Rhetoric and Millenarian Piety, 1986). It’s probably unnecessary to mention the ways presumed “breakthrough” Western culture has experienced dramatic shifts in the manner of life outlined and encouraged by the apostle Paul.
…aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands as we directed you to… — 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Another inclination that arises when heads turn heavenward is a disinclination to work. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul cautions people not to go there. By 2 Thessalonians he has to rebuke people for having done that very thing. Have you known people who are so sure that the Lord is returning immediately that they have quit their jobs and moved to the mountains or the beach to wait it out? I have. It’s not pretty. Paul says it is just plain wrong.
Christ may come very soon. Or there may be a long way to go before he does so. The one thing that Paul makes clear elsewhere is that Christ doesn’t return until there is “fullness of Jew” and “fullness of Gentile”—the “full” number of those who will come to Christ (Romans 11:18,25). That is something only God reckons. Meanwhile, our job—a job that is worth meditating on during Advent, especially— is “becoming more of what we already are” (4:1-2), maintaining healthy and right sexual relationships (4:3–10), and “making it a point of honor” (that’s the Greek behind v. 11’s “aspire” in the NRSV) to work diligently and faithfully at whatever craft or profession or calling the Lord has set before us.
Be blessed this day, as you pursue God’s will for you: your sanctification!
Reggie Kidd+