A Path of Continual Excellence

The Priority, Power, and Pressure of Obedience

The path of spiritual growth is marked by continual pursuit, deepening relationships, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. It is seen in Paul's gentle encouragement to the Thessalonian church in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2. It serves as a historical reminder and a vibrant, living call to all seeking to deepen their spiritual life today.

Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God—as you are doing—do this even more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2).

He encourages the church to aim for spiritual excellence, introducing three vital elements in 4:1-2: priority, power, and pressure.

The Priority: Embracing the Continuous Call to Excel

Additionally then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you… do this even more (4:1a, d).

With a warm and humble approach, Paul doesn't command but instead encourages, reminding us that pursuing spiritual excellence is not about surpassing others but our previous selves. The priority to "excel even more" is not a demand for perfection. It is, however, an invitation to grow toward spiritual maturity.

The term excel used by Paul emphasizes the call to surpass ordinary spiritual growth and strive for extraordinary progress. The priority was to deepen their relationship with God, understanding that spiritual growth comes from knowing God intimately. Spiritual maturity is marked by a deep knowledge of and intimacy with God, going past simple adherence to doctrinal knowledge or religious activities. Doing work does not lead to holiness; it reflects your holiness. Thus, gaining spiritual maturity is a lifelong pursuit to know God more deeply and intimately. This is the basis for Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:

I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:16-19).

The Power: Living "In the Lord Jesus"

in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received instruction from us on how you should live and please God…(4:1b).

At the heart of Paul's message is the amazing power found in living "in the Lord Jesus." This is where our spiritual journey takes on its most dynamic aspect, as we share in the divine life of God (Ephesians 2:5-7; Colossians 3:3-4; 2 Peter 1:3-4). We have been given life, regenerated and renewed, empowered not by our strength but by the indwelling Spirit. May we all better recognize that the virtues we strive for, like love and kindness, are fruits of the Spirit within us, cultivated through our daily efforts to live according to the teachings and principles of the Gospel (Galatians 5:16, 18, 22-24).

This power for excelling operates within scriptural principles and gospel doctrine. The Thessalonians had already received instruction in these foundational truths, guiding them daily to please and glorify God. Wherever Paul went, he and his companions were committed to teaching the saints how they should walk in daily life. Thus, while the saints were familiar with the basics of Christian living, Paul's exhortations aimed to motivate them to continue growing and excelling in their spiritual pursuits.

The Pressure: The Discipline of Spiritual Growth

as you are doing … For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus (4:1c, 2).

Paul's encouragement doesn't shy away from acknowledging the pressure—the discipline required in this spiritual journey. Echoing his words to the Corinthians, he reminds us that spiritual growth is like a race requiring perseverance, self-control, and discipline.

Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

The commands given by the Lord Jesus, as relayed by Paul, are not burdensome orders but guideposts helping us navigate the path of spiritual maturity with clarity and purpose. Returning to 1 Thessalonians 4:2, the Thessalonians were reminded of the authority behind Paul's exhortation – that the Lord Jesus gave them commands. The word used here, commands, is not often found in the New Testament¹. But where it appears, it describes an order passed from one person to another, such as when a command is passed along a line of soldiers and is often used for military orders. These solid and authoritative commands were not to be taken lightly, as they came with divine authority and were essential for spiritual growth. Obedience to Scripture's commands is crucial for Christians seeking more profound knowledge of God, greater love for Him, and fuller obedience to His will.

The apostles, the champions of the teaching of salvation by grace through faith, did not hesitate to call upon Christians to obey God’s commands. As they did, they clarified that a Christian's obedience (or work) is the product of one’s relationship with God. Here’s a great passage to illustrate the point:

5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 

6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 

7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 

8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works.

Note … salvation is first a gift from God—not by works of righteousness which we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit (3:5). Now, see the result of God’s work in verse 7. You are justified by grace and an heir with the hope of eternal life. This is your status. It’s solid and secure because it rests in the power of God.

Now, here comes the pressure. See how Paul emphasizes that because of the Christian's status, Titus must insist …that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works (Titus 3:8). Sonship involves living in compliance with the Father. The Christian has confessed Jesus not only as his savior but also as Lord, Acts 2:36. Biblical teaching on grace never deemphasizes the need for obedience — but it does place it in its proper context — a product of the transformation that God is working inside us. Therefore, Paul calls upon every Christian:

Don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. He sealed you for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30).

Don’t stifle the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). 

In the Scriptures, we must recognize the divinely placed tension between what it means to be saved by grace (ultimately depending on God for it) and the pressure of conforming to our Lord’s will. The pressure to obey and bring our will into alliance with Christ is a good thing and must be taught. Let’s just be sure to teach it from its proper perspective.

Dear friend, be encouraged by Paul's example and take up the gentle invitation to excel in your faith. Instead of being guilted into compliance, embrace the pursuit of spiritual growth with joy, knowing that each step brings you closer to the heart of God. As you do, remember you walk together with your brothers and sisters, supporting and uplifting them as we all strive for a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Creator.

1. The only other places this word is used in this sense is in 1 Timothy 1:5, 18.