Of all the letters written by Paul, few are as warm and affectionate as 1 Thessalonians. Acts 17 tells us that Paul spent a mere 3 weeks there proclaiming the Gospel, and yet it gave birth to a church of people that were willing to suffer and pursue godliness. What does one say to a church that become such a model to all others? Paul exhorts them to continue and excel in a life under the true and living God who saved them in Jesus. In the same way, 1 Thessalonians exhorts us to never settle in the Christian life and to pursue excellence as we see the Day draw nearer. "Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more." (4: 1)