Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is 1 Thessalonians 4:11

1 Thessalonians 4:11 And that you study to be quiet, and to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

God desires those who are His to live in peace, to follow the holy precepts of His Word, to enjoy His presence and not be encumbered by the attitudes and constraints of the world. He gives us clear direction on how to achieve that end. Our text today is a guidepost, directing us along His path of righteousness. "The Greek word rendered "you study" in our text, means to love honor, to be ambitious; and here means the same as when we say, "to make it a point of honor to do so and so." Albert Barnes So we make it a point of honor to "be quiet," to hold our peace, not allowing turmoil to invade our souls. For we understand that "It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." Lamentations 3:26 And that "Better is a dry morsel, with quietness, than a house full of sacrifices with strife." Proverbs 17:1

Tending to our own business does not mean that we are to be indifferent to others, rather it is an admonition to not interfere with the work of others, prying into their affairs. God has given each of us an assignment that requires us to focus on doing our own work, not the work of another. When we begin focusing on the affairs of others we do it to the neglect of our own work. In that condition, we render ourselves not useful for the work that we are called to do. We are not called to be idle. We are called to be workers; workers for God and co-laborers with Christ. God has equipped us to work. "An idle person, though able to discourse like an angel, or pray like an apostle, cannot be a Christian; all such are hypocrites and deceivers; the true members of the Church of Christ walk, work, and labor." Adam Clarke We walk, labor and work because it is God's will that we demonstrate His character. God is working all of the time, maintaining order in His universe, looking over the affairs of creation and conditioning the hearts of His elect for the world to come.  

By following the example of Christ, we will also do what is good and acceptable in the sight of God. That work is not the result of "human effort" alone; it is the result of lives that have been to the cross, died there with Christ and have the Spirit of Christ working through them. The work that glorifies God is work that is God initiated and God accomplished. As His children, we have the privilege of being co-laborers with Christ. In whatever capacity we find ourselves laboring, we know that it is through the power of the indwelling Christ that any work is accomplished. We are His own, let us be quiet, mind our own business and work with our own hands for His glory.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim