Walk This Way

Let's go for a walk. And why not? We see walking as a metaphor for life as we step through Scripture. In 1st Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul gives us "walking lessons" as he teaches the Thessalonians how to "Walk This Way". Hey, he was ahead of Stephen Tyler and Aerosmith by a couple of millenia.

First, we're to Walk This Way with Transparency. Paul writes to the Thessalonians that "we were not preaching with any deceit or impure purposes or trickery" (1Thess 2:3). Apparently, the apostle's critics told the church that it was all just a scam, just some spiritual slight of hand. They charged that Paul had a hidden agenda. He fires back and says nothing could be further from the truth. He and his team were absolutely and utterly transparent when they ministered in Thessalonica.

The apostle wasn't concerned about pleasing anyone except God. As a matter of fact, Paul was more than happy to let the Lord be his supernatural cardiologist. "He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts" (2:4). We're transparent before God. We're transparent before you.

Secondly, we're to Walk This Way with Integrity. His integrity was seen in the way he didn't accept payment from the church for his ministry to them. Paul pulled double shifts making tents, "night and day we toiled to earn a living" (2:9) so he wouldn't be a financial burden to them. He didn't want money to get in the way of the Gospel. The message of Jesus is too important. Paul goes so far as to say "we were pure and honest and faultless" in their dealings with the Thessalonians (2:10).

Thirdly, we are to Walk This Way in Community. The apostle writes that "we gave you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too" (2:8). Paul and his team didn't just show up like consultants, pass along a few pithy comments and move on. No, they invest their lives into this church. As a matter of fact, the word "lives" is actually "psuche" in Greek, which means not just life, but heart and soul as well. He also reminds them "we worked among you" (2:9). Not "at you," not "to you," not "near you." They worked AMONG the Thessalonians, in their midst.

He continues this idea of walking in relationship by writing, "We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy" (2:12). The phrase "to live your lives" is probably better translated as "to walk around." It's actually the same word the Bible uses to describe Jesus walking on the water. We're to live life on the move.

But we don't walk alone. Jesus promises to never leave us on our own (Matt 28:20). And we are to provide encouragment to one another. I love the idea of encouragement. It literally means "to put courage into someone." It's translated from the Greek word "parakaleo." And it carries with it a strong sense of coming alongside someone when they need it the most. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Paraklete, the One who comes alongside and encourages.

We're to Walk This Way...TOGETHER! There are no Lone Ranger Christians (hey, even Kimosabe had Tonto). We need each other. God Himself said "It's not good for the man to be alone" (Gen 2:18). Get plugged into a local church. Get involved in a small group. You need them. They need you.

Paul is calling us to Walk This Way...
with Transparency
with Integrity
in Community.

Now, let's get to walking!

From sermon at Freedom River CC on April 13, 2008.