Throughout history and in every other religion on Earth, mankind strives to be worthy of God. Every man-made religion teaches how to become good enough to merit God’s approval. That is the opposite of Christianity. Jesus Christ did all the work. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:23). As a result, you can be born again, created anew, as a new creature, who has been created in God’s image.
Once this has happened, the believer in Jesus Christ has a daily choice. They can choose to live in a way that pleases God. Or, they can live in a way that grieves God. In the Old Testament Law, this can be summarized in a single passage of infinite depth and meaning…
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
Likewise, all of the New Testament instruction to Christians can be summarized in a single passage, which replaces all the rules and regulations of all the man-made religions of the world…
As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy[516 aksíōs] of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 NRSV)
- 516 aksíōs (an adverb)
- worthily (viewed as “becoming”); suitable because recognized as fitting (having worth that “matches” actual value).
Paul’s message in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 calls Christians to a life of walking worthily, embodying a profound principle of Christian conduct that transcends detailed commandments. This principle encourages believers to live in a way that reflects the dignity and holiness of God, aiming for a standard set by divine example rather than merely adhering to specific rules.
The essence of walking worthily encompasses several New Testament teachings that urge believers to live in a manner befitting their calling by God, their identity as saints, the example of Christ, and the transformative message of the Gospel. The overarching call is for Christians to align their lives with the character of God—marked by love and righteousness—and to embody these qualities in every action and decision.
Paul stresses that true Christian conduct should mirror the selfless love and purity demonstrated by Jesus Christ. This involves embracing a lifestyle of gratitude and service, responding to the immense love and sacrifice of Christ not only with faith but with a life that strives to replicate His example. Walking worthily means engaging in a daily commitment to live up to the high calling of a Christian, showing the world a life transformed by the Gospel and devoted to the ideals of God’s kingdom.
Ultimately, walking worthily is about reflecting the character of God in our daily lives, ensuring that our actions, motives, and decisions are aligned with the divine example set before us. This path isn’t about adhering to rigid rules but about pursuing a relationship with God that naturally expresses itself in righteous living and loving interactions. It’s a call to live a life that truly honors the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making every effort to live up to the noble identity and divine calling bestowed upon us as believers.
This accurately characterizes all of the Apostle Paul’s teaching. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ restores your relationship with God. As a result, you have his righteousness put to your credit. Now live that way. Let your life be worthy of the actual value you now have as a child of God.
Digging Deeper:
- Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? – Does this passage teach God requires Christians to be agreed in uniformity about everything to walk together in unity?
- 101 Verses on Walking With One Another – The consistent Bible teaching on walking with one another is astonishing from the Ten Commandments through the Church epistles.
- The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart – Warning against false doctrine. The worst offenders are religious people who listen to myths and get involved with foolish discussions that cause divisions.