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 show 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."
In his visit to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4), the Apostle Paul proclaimed the pure, simple Gospel, and those who believed joined in fellowship to form a new church. Paul wrote his first epistle to the Thessalonians after he had received word from Timothy as to their progress in his absence (1st.Thessalonians 3:1-7). In both his intercessory prayers for them as well as in the inspired writing of this letter to them, the Apostle called to mind their conversion and praised the LORD for their spiritual growth (vv.1-3). Their godly example provides a divine standard by which each of us today can carefully and prayerfully measure our own standing and progress in the faith. Their "work of faith" (v.3) refers to the time of their salvation, and the fact that they "turned to GOD from idols" (v.9) indicated the authenticity of their conversion -- SPIRIT wrought repentance accompanied their genuine, saving faith. Paul could highly commend these early saints, and we today should seek to emulate their fine testimony before others.
The Thessalonians heartily fed on sound doctrine and grew accordingly. They did not make a profession of faith and then return to their former pagan lifestyle. Upon believing, they were changed by the power of GOD (v.5 cf. Romans 1:16 pictured above). As a result, they experienced the reality of the HOLY SPIRIT's presence within, which provided them with "much assurance" that the things spoken by the Apostle Paul were unequivocally true and that they were now the children of GOD (vv.4-5 cf. Romans 8:16). The work of GOD's grace was clearly seen in their lives as the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT produced the fruit of a transformed life. As we abide in CHRIST, we too will grow in HIM (2nd.Peter 3:18 pictured above).
The Thessalonian believers "labor of love" (v.3) was the product of their salvation. Not only did they turn to GOD from idols (repentance) as the result of their "work of faith" (v.3) -- the regeneration that took place when they were saved through faith -- but they now had a new purpose" "to serve the living and true GOD" (v.9). We are saved to serve ! The LORD desires much more for us beyond receiving the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life; HE also wants the new creature in CHRIST to be an example to others through an obedient, fruitful walk (vv.7-8). Love for CHRIST should be the motivation for faithful service (2nd.Corinthians 5:14-15 pictured above). If a "labor of love" is lacking in our life, then an honest soul-searching is greatly needed (2nd.Peter 1:5-10).
The believers in the church of Thessalonica were followers of Paul and of the LORD (v.6 cf. Philippians 4:9 pictured above). A "follower" does what his leader commands. Notice in what manner the Thessalonians followed -- they "received the WORD," despite great affliction (v.6). Are we today followers of CHRIST ? Do we receive and obey the WORD of GOD in its entirety ? Many false teachers in our day contend that some of what Paul taught was the product of his own misconceptions or was colored by the culture of his time. This is not so ! The HOLY SPIRIT directed Paul to write his epistles not only for the early church but also for the leaning, edification, and direction of believers today. This is the WORD of GOD, not the musings of Paul. It is convenient for those who do not like what the Pauline epistles teach concerning homosexuality, marriage, prophecy, the role of women, or separation to say, "That's just Paul's view." NO, it is GOD's decree !
Paul commended the Thessalonian Christians for their "patience of hope," an abiding expectation of CHRIST's return -- they believed in the pretribulational, imminent (at any moment) return of their LORD ! These believers plainly understood that JESUS CHRIST might return in their generation, and the Apostle Paul, upholding this belief, encouraged and instructed them all the more in this blessed reality. This "patience of hope" (v.3) pertains to the future aspect of salvation when the believer will be caught up to be with HIS LORD, thus completing the work GOD began in him when he trusted CHRST as HIS personal SAVIOR. The Thessalonians were clearly "looking up" as they served "the living and true GOD" (v.9b), for they were awaiting "HIS SON from Heaven" (v.10). This church was renowned for its godly service in light of CHRIST's imminent return.
The rapture is not a recent concept, as some claim. The early believers realized the glorious possibility that they themselves could perhaps experience the return of CHRIST in the clouds to receive HIS own unto HIMSELF. This was their "blessed hope," and the Apostle Paul applauded, not rebuked or corrected, them for their faith in this regard. We today have the same scriptural basis for believing that JESUS CHRIST could come back at any moment. The Thessalonians knew GOD's promise that their standing in CHRIST secured their deliverance from "the wrath to come" (v.10b) and that GOD would take them out of the way before the time of HIS divine wrath. The blessed hope motivated them to patience in waiting and diligence in serving (Titus 2:11-15 pictured above). DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
No comments:
Post a Comment