Don't Settle for Good

"But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more" (1 Thess. 4:9-10).

The Christians in Thessalonica were praised by Paul more than once for their loving and benevolent spirit (see 1 Thess. 1:8; 2 Thess. 1:3-5). This was clearly one of their strengths. And yet Paul urged them not to settle for "good," or even "great." His admonition was for them to "increase more and more."

It is so tempting to settle for "good." We think we've really accomplished something when we become slightly better than average. We know more about the Bible than most. We pray more than most. We help people more than most. We think about God more than most. Our marriage is better than most. Our children are better than most. So we become complacent. We stop growing. After all, so long as we're slightly better than most, so long as we're "good" or "great," there's no need to press tirelessly onward. Right?

When we fall into this trap, we're actually working to please ourselves and other men rather than God. The status-quo becomes our standard, rather than the Lord. Notice what Paul says in another place:

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Cor. 10:12).

As we are taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:10, we should NEVER become complacent. It doesn't matter how strong you are, there is always additional progress to be made. Stop looking at everyone else. Stop seeing how you measure up to others in the church. Instead, focus on the Lord and His word. Remain humble. Strive to not only perfect what is lacking in your faith (1 Thess. 3:10), but continue to perfect even the works and qualities that are abundant in your faith.

Don't settle for good. Don't settle for great.

Just don't settle. Ever!