1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
“And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind 16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!”
Back when I was teaching in the Hawaii Public School System, I enjoyed helping students pursue and find their dream careers for their lives. Our conversations would always come down to this: find something you really love to do, and make that your dream career. Then, you will always be happy at work because it will be like you’re never working a day in your life. You’re doing what you love! A happy life is a thankful life, especially for a believer in Jesus Christ.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is telling the believers in the Thessalonian Church that he is not just thankful for them, but sam
he is constantly thanking God for them. I don’t believe this is just a flattering hyperbole. I really believe the Apostle is being genuine and transparent in his true emotions for this church. It’s amazing that some believers in the church today carry the same secular baggage and worldview as nonbelievers. They want to be part of both worlds: the ecumenical world and the secular world. But notice, this causes chaos because one is straddling the fence and trying to mix their faith with unbelievers; or rather, being saints while imitating and condoning sinners. The bottom line is, oil and water do not mix. If we truly are following the new commandment of Jesus Christ, we must love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. In love, saints must be able to say that we are really thanking God constantly for others. Therefore, In your service to God, bless others with your constant undying love and gratitude.
As we continue in verse 10, Paul is constantly thanking God, because the Thessalonian believers accepted the Word of God. That’s a great reason for thanking God. We are demonstrating our dependence on God by being thankful. It was not by our wisdom and flattering words that convenience people to become followers of Christ. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:23, “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” So when a person comes to Christ, it is by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in the miraculous new birth. Jesus Christ told Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who came to him at night, “You must be born again” (John 3:7). This is why the Apostle can only boast in thanksgiving to God. We are saved only by grace through faith in Him, and it has nothing to do with anything in what we can do for ourselves. In the same way, Paul is thankful to God for saving them. There was nothing Paul could say with enticing meritorious words that could convince people to be born again. Being born again is not by the will of man or by the will of the flesh, but only by the will of the Spirit. That’s why, in order to have eternal life, you must be born again. There is no other way. Therefore, praise God constantly, because they came to know Christ and now they follow Him.
Additionally, however, the Apostle was eternally grateful because the Thessalonians heard the word from him. This is very important, even for us today. There are so many false teachers and false preachers who are not teaching the true word of God. Please note, if you do not know the television preacher and their Confession of Faith and what they believe, do not listen to them. Paul was thankful because he was able to communicate the truth of God’s Word to others, especially to those who became believers in Jesus in this church. These people accepted the word from Paul as the holy words of God. This is the efficacious work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Together, they are invincible. Together, this is the only way one can come to Jesus for eternal life. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 10:14, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”
We also need this same passion. When we are confident and dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can save and give people the precious gift of eternal life with Him, then we will be eternally and constantly thanking God for saving others. We will thank Him for allowing us to present the gospel message in power and truth. We will thank Him because the same Word that saves, is the same Word that transforms. The transformed life is evidence that Jesus Christ saved and is at work in our lives. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
As a servant of God, we must, like the Apostle Paul, thank God constantly!