Simplicity, 1 of 2

But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more, to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone. - 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12 HCSB

Francois de Fénelon[1] made a habit of encouraging his friends to live a quiet life. To one he wrote: "Your mind is too much taken up with your circumstances, and this hinders you from understanding the mind of God . . . I think it is such a hindrance to the kind of quiet meditation in which God reveals Himself. You must learn to be humble and simple . . . Be content with leading a simple life."

The Thessalonian Christians had lost their joy. Peace evaded them. Their hope for the future had all but vanished. Many stopped working, allowing idleness to permeate their ranks. Others had fallen into a state of restlessness and gossip.

What was the problem? What emissary was so powerful and mighty that it had the ability to discourage and sway these early Christians away from what Christ had called them to do – to live for Him and to anticipate His victorious return?

The Thessalonian believers were known throughout Asia Minor for their faith, hope, and love. Yet they had allowed a degree of false teaching to persuade them to believe something other than the Gospel Paul had presented. As a result, the focus of their lives had shifted from God and His promises to the unstable ideas of false prophets. Their minds were no longer firmly set on Christ and His infinite ability. Instead, they had fallen victim to anxiety. Questions plagued them: Had the resurrection taken place? Had they missed it?

The Christian life is not complicated but when we allow fearful thoughts to invade our lives, we suddenly find that they have turned into struggles. God's wisdom is sure, uncomplicated, and unwavering. He never meant for the Thessalonians to be captured by doubt or the frantic pace of their society. Instead, the Lord wanted them to learn to live simply – to be satisfied with what they had been given and to be diligent in their work and also for the Lord. [2]

In times of uncertainty, God's Word is a mighty, stabilizing force. Emotions and feelings often lie to us. We cannot trust them, but we can trust the wisdom we find in God's Word.

Paul does not belittle these believers for becoming frightened or paralyzed by their thoughts. His message to them is straightforward and simple: get back to work, stop talking badly about one another, and know that God's love and promises to you have not changed. "Faithful is He who calls you," writes Paul, "and He also will bring it to pass."[3] Jesus would return, and those who believed in Him would be with Him in glory.

[1] French Theologian and tutor to the young Duke of Burgundy for whom he wrote Telemaque (1699)
[2] 1 Thessalonians 4:11
[3] 1 Thessalonians 5:24