The apostle Paul wanted the Thessalonian Christians to learn to please God "more and more."
To appreciate what Paul might have had in mind, it's important to recall when he first preached in Thessalonica. The people there accused the believers of turning the world upside down because they said, "There is another king named Jesus" (Acts 17). Caesar was the other king. Living under a king like Caesar, "more" usually meant giving more. More taxes, more allegiance, more of yourself to an empire that always demanded something else.
King Jesus is different.
Paul's urging the church to please God "more and more" wasn't a call to appease a God who is never satisfied. No, he understood that the more we follow Jesus, the more we become the people God created us to be. We become more human, recognizing more and more the image of God within us. This growth is what we know as holiness. And holiness isn't a burden God places on us. Holiness, besides being our calling, is a blessing in itself that God gives to us.
As we learn to trust Christ more, we discover deeper peace. As we obey him more, we become more compassionate. As we surrender more, we find greater joy. Our sanctification journey reveals to us that God's call to holiness doesn't take life away from us. Quite the opposite. Holiness shows us life in abundance.
The Thessalonians had already chosen their new King. Now, Paul reminds them to keep growing. The same invitation is ours today. Please do not let your faith become stagnant. And understand that following Jesus "more and more" doesn't diminish anything about your life. In fact, it enlarges it, shaping you more and more into someone who reflects the goodness of the One you serve.
And remember that the King who asks for your heart is also the King who gives you his.
Stay blessed...john
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