1 Thessalonians.
As usual, I find my favorite part of Paul’s letter is when he’s telling people how they should behave – i.e. that they should be good people. I read those words and I think, “Yes. That’s why I’m a Christian. The kind of person Paul says Christians should be – that’s the person who I want to be.”
Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do knot need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the brothers and sisters throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, beloved, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one. [4:9-11]
When I read that passage…. well, I wasn’t exactly sure of what he meant. It’s a context-dependent passage. I have no doubt it would make perfect sense if I were a new Christian in Thessolonica back in the day.
But I loved those words “to aspire to live quietly”. “We urge you… to aspire to live quietly.” The idea that this is a step along the way of being the good person that Christians should be.
How unAmerican.
What would America look like if all Christians aspired to live quietly?
