We all like to hear good news and Paul is no exception. Timothy brought him a report that the church was missing Paul and doing well in the Lord and Paul was encouraged by it. His blessing to them was sincere and heartfelt. Then Paul exhorted them to live their life consistent with their conversion. We still have control over what we do even with our new nature. It is our act of love and obedience to God to live Godly lives and when we fail to live holy and display love for one another, we are not disrespecting people. We are disrespecting God.
But there is a real upside to Christian living beyond the relationships we have in this life. We know that there is much more to life than just this life and when the believer dies, the fun is just beginning. And some day, Christ will return for his own. When I was a child I dreaded the coming of the Lord because in my juvenile mind I thought that I would miss out on too many things. I understand now what it means in 4:18 when it says to encourage one another with this message. Like the old song says,
What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see.
And I look upon his face,
The one who saved me by his grace.
When he takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land.
What a day, glorious day that will be!
Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly!
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