August 26 2026

August 26 Wednesday

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

“Walk Worthy of God”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Before we continue our journey through 1 Thessalonians today, I want to take a minute to recognize a very special day and a very special person in my life. It was on this day, August 26, 1972, 54 years ago, that Edith and I stood together before our pastors, family and friends and said, “I do.” On that day we entered into a new relationship as husband and wife, and looking back over these 54 years, I can only say that God has been so good to us! God has blessed me with the most wonderful and beautiful wife in all the world. Edith is not only my wife; she is my best friend. We were talking last night about how God has blessed our marriage beyond anything we could have imagined when we began this journey together 54 years ago. He has blessed us with five awesome children, 18 grandchildren, and now one great-grandson and another great grandchild on the way.

But there is another blessing for which I am especially thankful. By God's grace, Edith and I have also had the privilege of being partners together in the Gospel ministry. Over these many years, the Lord has allowed us to touch and influence countless dear people, both here and abroad, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have had the joy of seeing people give their lives to Christ for salvation and then begin serving Him. Today, Edith and I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us along this fantastic journey. Thank you for your prayers, your love, your encouragement, and your friendship through both the good times and the difficult and challenging times. But most of all, we want to thank and praise the Lord and give Him all the glory for everything He has done in our lives, our family, and our ministry over these 54 years!

And interestingly, our passage today reminds us that the Christian life is also about relationships and influence. Yesterday in verse 10, Paul reminded the Thessalonians how he and his companions had lived among them: “holily and justly and unblameably.” Now in verses 11 and 12, Paul says: “As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father does his children, That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto His kingdom and glory.” Earlier, in verse 7, Paul compared himself to a nursing mother who tenderly cherishes her children. Now he changes the picture and says, “as a father does his children.” What a beautiful picture of spiritual ministry! A godly father doesn't simply tell his children what to do. He walks with them. He encourages them. He teaches them. He corrects them when necessary. And most importantly, he wants to see them grow and become everything God intends for them to be.

Paul gives us three words describing what he and his fellow co-workers did for these new believers. I trust that you have noticed that Paul hasn’t been saying “I”, when addressing the people at Thessalonica, but he acknowledges his companions as he says, “we”. He first says, “As you know how we exhorted.” To exhort someone means to come alongside them and encourage them to keep going in the right direction. Sometimes we need someone to say, “Don't quit. Keep going. Stay faithful. God is with you.” Then Paul says, “We comforted.” There are times when people don't need a lecture—they need comfort. Life has its disappointments. There are heartaches, losses, illnesses, broken dreams, and unexpected difficulties. A loving spiritual father knows when someone needs encouragement and when they simply need an arm around their shoulder. Then Paul says they “charged every one of you.” That word is stronger. It carries the idea of giving a solemn testimony or urging someone with seriousness. There are times when we need encouragement. There are times when we need comfort. But there are also times when someone who loves us needs to look us in the eye and say, “This is the way you need to go. This is what God wants you to do.”

And notice something else that I love in this verse. Paul says they did this for “every one of you.” Paul wasn't merely interested in crowds. He was interested in individual people. Every person mattered. That is a wonderful lesson for ministry. We can become so concerned about numbers that we forget that every number represents a person—a person with a name, a family, a burden, and an eternal soul. Jesus ministered that way. He preached to the multitudes, but He also had time for Nicodemus. He had time for the woman at the well. He had time for blind Bartimaeus. He had time for Zacchaeus. Every person matters to God.

But what was Paul's goal in all this exhorting, comforting, and charging? Verse 12 tells us: “That you would walk worthy of God.” That is the goal of Christian discipleship. The word “walk” in the Bible often refers to the way we live our everyday lives. Paul is saying, in effect, “Live your life in a way that is worthy of the God who saved you.” We don't live worthy so that God will save us. We seek to walk worthy because He has saved us.

Our salvation is completely by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But once we have been saved, our lives should begin to reflect the One who saved us. And then Paul gives us a wonderful reason: “Who has called you unto His kingdom and glory.” Think about that! God has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. He has called us out of a life of sin and given us eternal life. He has made us His children. And one day, we will share in His kingdom and His glory. If that is our calling and that is our destiny, then surely it should make a difference in how we live today.

After 54 years of marriage, I can look back and see many times when Edith and I didn't know what the future held. But we knew Who held the future. And that is still true today. Whether we are talking about marriage, raising children, ministry, friendships, or simply living the Christian life, we need the grace of God every day. So today, let's remember Paul's challenge: Encourage someone. Comfort someone. Help someone keep walking with God. And most importantly, make sure that your own life is walking worthy of the God who has called you unto His kingdom and glory.

Let’s Pray. Father, thank You today for Your amazing grace and faithfulness. I especially thank You for Edith and for the wonderful gift You gave me 54 years ago when we became husband and wife. Thank You for our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandson, and for all the precious people You have brought into our lives through the years. Thank You for allowing us to serve You together and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Lord, help each of us to encourage those who are struggling, comfort those who are hurting, and faithfully point others toward You. Most of all, help us each day to walk worthy of You, the God who has called us unto Your kingdom and glory. May our lives bring honor to Jesus Christ, and may You receive all the praise and all the glory for anything that has been accomplished through our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!