Today's Scripture reading is 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2.
Verse 1, "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
The Apostle Paul is the author of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. It is written to the believers in the city of Thessalonica. This particular letter is coming to a close. There are instructions about to be given on how to live ("walk") and be pleasing to God. The emphasis at the end of verse one is spiritual growth.
It is impossible to grow in grace to the point where we are now super Christian. It does not matter how long you have been saved, spiritual growth will always be needed. If one is to stop growing, it will not be long until they are back sliding. The Sunday school song refers to it as shrinking. "Neglect your Bible, forget to pray, and you will shrink, shrink, shrink." Spiritual growth is our goal; not for our own applause, but in order to please our Heavenly Father. Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."