Pleasing God Is the Goal Of The Christian Life — 1 Thessalonians 4:1–3
Aug 18, 2026 25365
God’s will for your life is not hidden: he calls you to holiness and to keep pleasing God more and more.
[1] Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. [2] For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. [3] For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; (1 Thessalonians 4:1–3 ESV)
Paul is writing to new Christians in Thessalonica. They have turned from idols; they are serving the living and true God; they are waiting for Jesus, and Paul can already see evidence of change in their lives (see 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10) [could also link to the devotions on that from a few weeks ago]
That’s why, in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3, Paul encourages them to keep growing in their walk with God as they seek to please God all the more.
Notice that Paul is not saying, “You have failed in every possible way.” He says, “Just as you are doing.” They are already pleasing God. His encouragement is: good on you; keep going; do it more and more.
[Watch this week’s video devotion with Dave Miers]
Sanctification is closely connected to holiness. It means being set apart for holy service to the Lord. Because we belong to Jesus, we learn to live differently. When Jesus says to do something, we do it. When Jesus says not to do something, we don’t do it.
Sometimes we ask, “What is God’s will for my life?” We may not have a Bible verse for every decision, but we have a clear answer here. God’s will is that we become holy – that every part of life is increasingly lived to please him.
This is not legalism. We do not obey Jesus to earn favour with God. But grace does not mean that obedience no longer matters. Having received God’s favour in Christ, we now want to please the God who made us and saved us.
The Good News Is…
Jesus has given himself fully for us. He lived the holy life we failed to live, died for all the ways we have been unholy, and rose again. We do not pursue holiness to make God love us. We pursue it because, in Christ, he already does. Jesus gives us his Spirit so that we can keep growing, keep obeying and keep pleasing God more and more.
Reflection
Where can you see God already changing you, and where is he calling you to please him more and more?
Rev. Dave Miers
President, Good News Unlimited