1st.Thessalonians 1:1-10 "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in GOD the FATHER and in the LORD JESUS CHRIST: Grace be unto you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We give thanks to GOD always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor 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 examples 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."
We are familiar with the trio of faith, hope, and love found in 1st.Corinthians 13:13 (pictured above). This triad is also found in today's text: "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our LORD JESUS CHRIST. . ." (v.3). To bring out the significance of the little word "of" used three times, consider this paraphrase: "your work prompted by faith, your labor springing from love, your patience inspired by hope."
1. Work of faith -- When we believe GOD, it will produce GOD-honoring work. By faith Noah built an ark, Rahab received spies, the Israelites at Jericho blew trumpets, David felled a giant, and Peter left the boat and walked on water. Good works spring from a living faith (James 2:14-26). Many today claim to be Christians, but where is the work that should spring from faith ? Faith is to be expressed by work and transformed into action.
2. Labor of love -- Labor refers to vigorous exertion to the point of weariness and exhaustion. True love will result in self-sacrificing labor, the giving of oneself strenuously for the sake of the one loved. Love will inspire great effort and toil to meet the needs of another. "GOD is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love. . . in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Hebrews 6:10).
3. Patience of hope -- Hope looks beyond the present trial. The believer has the certain expectancy of a bright future, and having this hope inspires us to bravely bear up under every difficulty, obstacle, and problem. With our eyes on GOD's promises, we can endure and courageously face any hardship ! GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
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