1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and 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 delivers us from the wrath to come.”
My parents gave me a Thompson Chain, King James Version of the Bible when I graduated with my undergraduate degree at the University of Maimi in Oxford, Ohio, in December 1976. My parents inscribed and highlighted 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 on the inside cover of the Bible. It was a precious gift and I cherished it throughout the years. As I read through it, verse by verse, I would underline, highlight, or take notes on the column margins. My parents are now in heaven, and I am way over the age when they passed on to be with the Lord. My mom and dad both died at the age of 63 years. The good Lord has preserved my life thus far. I am presently 67 years old and in good health. Praise and glory to God!
I think of my parents when they come to my mind. Especially when I am reading the Apostle Paul’s writings in the New Testament regarding the power of the Holy Spirit when being regenerated, or redeemed by the power of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I become so nostalgic when reading the Word, and sometimes a little bit teary-eyed. I was raised in the church. I most probably attended my first worship service just a few weeks after my birth. However, I was born on a very cold and blizzardy night in February. So no doubt, I went to church as soon as my parents could safely and possibly take me. My father was a young pastor at a small church and my mother played the piano. Money was scarce in those days, but we had a lot of love back then to make up for whatever things money could not buy.
From these verses in 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul commends the Thessalonians because of the evidence of their faith: they had works of faith, they labored in love, and they had steadfast hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. The evidence of their faith was based on them being loved and chosen by God and because they received the gospel of Christ and the Word of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Thessalonians, not only became imitators of the Apostle Paul in all his afflictions for the love of the gospel, but they also became an example for others to follow as well.
In the same way, the resolve of my life is my faith and trust in my Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle John said in 1 John 5:13, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” For me, I know that I know I have eternal life with my Jesus Christ. Why? because the Bible tells me so, and because Jesus Christ lives within me every day of my life. He is my friend who sticks closer to me than a brother. He is my God: my Priest, Prophet, and King. In times of need, He is my Advocate and my Intercessor. In times of sorrow and trouble, He is my Comfort. In times of peace and joy, He is my Rest. He is Altogether Lovely! In Him I trust!
Because of my faith in Christ, I do good works. These good works are not from any good that is within me. No! by no means! But if there is any good, it is only by the grace of God so others may see my good works and praise God for all that He is doing in my life. Like the Thessalonians, my works of faith, my labor of love, and my steadfast hope in Christ serve to bring God glory. I know that without God, there is no good thing within me. Therefore, I, like the Apostle Paul, will boast in my weaknesses so the glory and power of God may be revealed. Second Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Serving God and communing with him every day, brings me joy, peace, comfort, and hope. Without Him, I would be nothing. So whether I live or I die, I do all things for the glory of God.