A Greater Calling

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church of the Thessalonians, he did not berate them for straying from the path, or to warn them of the seeds of heresy being planted, or to defend himself as a leader of the church.  As we read the words to this church, we hear warm words of affection, appreciation for their faithfulness, and thanksgiving for the way they received the gospel as the Word of God.  The Thessalonians seemed to have it together.  They were depending on Christ.  When Paul was unable to go himself, he sent Timothy to go in his behalf and when Timothy returned to Paul, "he brought good news of faith and love."  (I Thessalonians 3:6).    

What comes as a surprise is the way the Apostle Paul calls them to do even more.  Twice in the fourth chapter of the first letter, he pushes them onward and upward with words such as are found in the 10th verse, "But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more..." (also vs. 1).  While Paul was grateful for their faithfulness to the gospel and while he uses the letter to applaud what they have done, he does not want them to rest on what is in the past, but to strive toward an even greater level of service and love in the future.   

Of course, this is the Apostle who wrote,  "Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to make it my own...this one thing I do...i press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ."  (Philippians 3:12-14)  A leader of the church with such a vision is not likely to give the church permission to be satisfied with a record from the past or the status quo.  His is a word that reminds us that we can never settle.  We must always be moving toward greater works for as Jesus said, "...the one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father."  (John 14:12).  Such is our calling.