Reading: I Thessalonians
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye 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, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come(I Thess. 1:2-10).
Despite the chaotic and rushed manner in which they were sown (Acts 17:1-10), the seeds of the Gospel that Paul planted in Thessalonica had fallen on fertile ground. When Paul received word through Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy that the fledgling church was strong and active, He immediately praised God, thanking Him for His boundless grace and mercy and the provision of the Holy Spirit, to which he credited the success of the Thessalonian church. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost.
Paul’s joy was not brought about because he believed those in the church to be perfect and blameless in the sight of God and man but because he saw the light of God in them. Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. As he continued his letter, Paul would address doctrinal confusion and other problems within the congregation—everything from gossip and slander to sexual impurity. But his first action was acknowledging and celebrating their visible, heartfelt faith. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord.
We are imperfect beings living in an imperfect world. No single member of the body of Christ living today can truthfully claim to be 100% righteous and blameless before God. None of us are above needing loving, Christian correction and guidance from time to time, and God charges all of us to offer the same to our brothers and sisters in Christ when necessary. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Gal. 6:1). But the next time you feel moved to correct or instruct, take a minute to reflect on Paul’s message to the Thessalonians. Consider the person you are approaching, and rejoice in the fruits of the Spirit you see emanating from their lives. Join with them in praising God for His gift of faith, which has made it possible for us to partake of His mercy and grace. Then, as the Spirit leads, share with them the knowledge and wisdom God has laid on your heart.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works(Heb. 10:24).
Thought For Today:To take pride in our own accomplishments is to remove God’s hand from them; to take pride in God’s accomplishments is to find fulfillment in His service.
Word Studies:2:2 entreated = mistreated, suffering outrageously; 2:9 chargeable = a burden; 3:8 fast = firm; 4:4 possess his vessel = control his body; 4:8 despiseth = rejects; 5:14 unruly = disorderly.
Cross References:For I Thess. 5:4: See Is. 35:4.
Pray For Government Officials:Sen. Susan Collins (ME)• Country: Kuwait (2,742,711) Mideast • Major Languages: Arabic, English • Some Religious Freedom • 85% Muslim; 15% Other (Christian, Hindu, Parsi) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and depend upon the Lord when in need, for He will not forsake you (Is. 41:17).