Tag: labor prompted by love
Work inspired by faith!
Scripture reading for September 14th: 1st Thessalonians 1
Paul wrote his letter to the Thessalonians about six months after he had founded the church there in response to Timothy’s report to him. He had left there abruptly because of persecution and later sent Timothy back to check on them. (See Acts 17:1-9) He wanted to encourage and instruct the young church in the way of Christ.
“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually 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.” (1st Thessalonians 1:2-3) Faith, hope and love all worked together to bring thanksgiving to Paul’s prayer for them. Timothy had told him of their work to reach the lost there because of their faith in the Gospel message. The love of Jesus Christ poured out into their hearts by the Holy Spirit had prompted them to love others into the kingdom. They had kept at the work in spite of persecution because of the hope of eternal life.
“For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. . . . You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. . . The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia–your faith in God has become known everywhere.” (1st Thessalonians 1:4-8)
The brothers and sisters there had observed Paul’s conduct in the short time he was with them and responded to the Gospel message by faith. They imitated Paul and Jesus Christ, sharing the Gospel in spite of threats on their lives. Their faith was inspiring others!
Turned from idols to Christ!
Scripture reading for October 9th: 1st Thessalonians 1:1-2:8
“Grace and peace to you. We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, you labor prompted by love, and you endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1st Thessalonians 1:1b-3) Paul spent much of his time praying for the various churches that he founded. He always found something to thank God for concerning the church. The Thessalonian church was commended for their faith and works based on faith.
These believers had eagerly received and applied the Gospel message in their lives and according to Paul, were a model to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (1st Thessalonians 1:7-8) In fact, many reports of the Thessalonians faith had come to Paul from other Christians there. “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead–Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1st Thessalonians 1:9b-10)
The Thessalonians were about fifty miles from the site of Mount Olympus in Greece. The Greek gods said to reside there were many and powerful. They were a big part of the culture of the country and were popular. These believers turned from these idols to the living and true God. Not only that, they chose to wait for the revelation of Jesus Christ from heaven. Jesus was raised from the dead and coming back for those waiting for Him. These Thessalonians simply trusted in Christ and the teaching of the second coming. They chose to believe that when Christ came back, he would pour out wrath on sin and sinner. This fear of God was a healthy motivator to live in patient expectation.
“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (1st Thessalonians 2:8) The child-like faith of these people had touched Paul’s heart. They were such faithful and sincere believers that Paul wanted to share his life with them. The Gospel works best when love is flowing from the preacher as well as the people. Our living God is a God of love and will win out over all idols if given a chance!