Wednesday, September 25 - 1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

² We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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THE WORK OF FAITH
   Sometimes, in my opinion, people have the idea that being a Christian should make life a bed of roses  -- that when we trust in our Savior He magically sustains us in ways that don't involve hard work, daily struggles, and difficult challenges.
    
   In contrast please notice that Paul describes the Thessalonian faith with three words that indicate their diligent efforts to be faithful, to spread God's word, and to face challenges.  (work, labour, endurance)

   There can be no doubt that when a person becomes a Christian the Enemy knows he must do everything he can to try and lead us away from God.  So temptations and difficulties will certainly arise.  

    In addition, Christians who take seriously God's command to "make disciples of all nations" know that those efforts sometimes meet with resistance, hard questions, and disparaging comments.

   Also, serving God by serving others means going out of our way with our time, treasure, and talent.

   Indifference and apathy would certainly be easier.  Faith without works is less demanding.

   But works are an important part of our journey with Christ.  After all, to follow Him means that we seek to emulate His love, shine forth with His priorities, and live as He lived.

   Such a life is impossible without His omnipotent strength and continual forgiveness to keep us going.  Thanks be to God that He is ready to be there by our side.  So, as we run the race we are never alone.  "Lo, I am with you always," He says.  And His love propels us forward and gives us the energy to do our work.

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⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.