Life’s Instruction Manual - December 29

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:2

For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Reflect

How has following God’s instructions blessed your life? Are there any instances in your life that would have turned out better if you had simply obeyed the Lord?

I’ve heard many people lament that life doesn't come with an instruction manual. In their view, people are all just doing the best they can, trying to figure out life as they go. But here at Back to the Bible, we know that life does come with an instruction manual—the Bible! God didn’t just create us and leave us to fend for ourselves. He revealed Himself to us and He told us the right way to live. In His Word He told us how we can be saved and how we should behave. He also gave us the keys to wise living. We don’t have to figure it all out on our own!

In 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Paul urged the believers in Thessalonica to continue to walk the way he had instructed them to. Paul, along with Silas, and Timothy had told them how to live in a way that pleases the Lord. In today’s verses, Paul reminded the Thessalonians where they received the authority to give them such instructions—from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy weren’t making up a rule book and then going around telling people how they were supposed to act and behave. They instructed believers based on the commandments that they had received from the Lord.

Back in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-14, Paul wrote: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” The believers in Thessalonica recognized that their instructions were from God, not man, so they were willing to trust and obey them.

There are many people today who simply do not believe that the Bible is God’s Word or that it has any power to change their lives so they disregard it and disobey it. But as Christians, we believe that: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

What a gift God gave us! He gave His Word. He gave us a training manual! We have the instructions! He told us exactly how we should live if we want to thrive. He told us Who we should put our faith in if we want to live forever. His Word has given us all of the information we need. All we have to do is follow it.

Respond

Lord, “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes” (Psalm 119:10-12). Thank You for Your Word. Help me to diligently follow Your instructions. Amen.

Reveal

Share your testimony about how obeying God’s instructions has blessed your life with someone today.