Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 1-3 …
I know of no other way to live in this world today
than by looking toward the return of Jesus Christ, knowing that God will
deliver those who believe from the suffering and trials of life as He pours out
His wrath on those who do not know Him or worship Him. Almost 2,000 years ago the Apostle Paul and
those to whom He had preached, who had become followers of Jesus, found their
only hope in this same truth. How much more should you and I be setting
our minds on God's promises today!!
But what happens? The same things Paul was
concerned about with regard to the Thessalonians and the other churches to whom
he had preached the Gospel: persecution, distress, worldly distractions …
all of these and more threatened the faith of those who were new
believers. As Paul and those with him traveled from city to city they met
opposition from the Jews and others, often being physically and verbally
assaulted. Their hope … what drove them to continue, was the fruit that
the Gospel was bearing in the lives of those who turned from idols to worship
God.
Having moved on from Thessalonica to other cities,
Paul longed to know how the church of the Thessalonians was doing, so he
finally sent his young friend, Timothy (3:2). Having received a good
report from Timothy, Paul now writes them this letter to encourage them further
to continue in their faith. As you read the first three chapters, you
feel Paul's love, his urgency and his passion for the Gospel and for the
Church. He commends the believers, for "your work produced by
faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our
Lord Jesus Christ" (1:3). The Gospel had come to them "with
power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1:5).
Paul rejoiced because they had "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" (1:9-10). How few people today make the connection
between faith in the true God and looking toward His return?? How few
churches today have any idea that Jesus is even coming back, and what is going
to happen when He does? There is a profound and dangerous ignorance of the
events preceding Christ's return and of the wrath that will be poured out on
those who do not know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. In these two
letters to the Thessalonians the Apostle Paul ties living for Christ in this
life to longing for Jesus' return. Only if you know what is coming will
you be able to endure what is already happening as you live by faith.
Unlike many who hear God's Word preached today, the
Thessalonians believed the message Paul preached was from God. "We
thank God continually because, when you heard from us, you accepted it not as
the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in
you who believe" (2:13).
God's Word cannot be compromised; it cannot be discarded at will.
It must be proclaimed and believed - that's what the Thessalonians did.
Opposition to the Gospel is increasing in our
nation and around the world. Interfaith dialogue and compromise are the
hallmarks of "religious tolerance" today and "love" is used
to disguise what Satan is seeking to do - deceive. Paul expresses his
willingness to endure suffering and insults, testifying, "with the help
of our God we dared to tell you His Gospel in spite of strong opposition" (2:2).
Where there is no opposition to the Gospel, the true Gospel is probably
not being preached!! The Gospel invites all to come to Jesus Christ to be
saved, but the same Gospel excludes those who want to mix the worship of God
with the worship of the world or other "gods," and who refuse to
confess their sins, repent, and rest only in God's grace in Christ.
True faith bears fruit and produces devotion to God
because it is produced by the very Spirit of God. Listen to Paul's heart
as he writes, "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share
with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well" (2:8).
Like any devoted pastor, Paul had concern for the Thessalonians. So
MUCH of the visible church today has turned away from God's Word and replaced
it with the words of men. These are “like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew
9:36).
The writer of Hebrews puts it all in focus when he
says in Chapter 10 that since we have access to the Most Holy Place through the
blood of Christ (vs. 19), "let us draw near to God ... let us hold
unswervingly to the hope we profess ... let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds ... and let us not give up meeting
together" (vss. 22-25). In other words, let's be the Church, the
body of Christ, the fellowship of the saints!
Why? Because Jesus is coming back and this life is not all there is!
Why? Because there's more to life than living to please yourself or
others. There's GOD!!!
Oh, how I pray that as you read these words you
will be drawn to read GOD's Word. I pray that the Holy Spirit will open
your heart and mind to know the truth and to live in anticipation of Christ's
return. Nothing ... nothing else will give you strength to endure the
trials, the persecution and the temptations that you and I face as we seek to
live for Christ in our world today. Living by faith in the shadow of
Jesus' return makes you understand that every day is important and that your
life has eternal significance. Don't throw it away on things that may not
last past tomorrow. Read Paul's words in II Corinthians 4:16-18, and receive
them as, indeed, they are ... the very words of God:
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though
outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal
glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is
seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is
unseen is eternal."
"Heavenly Father, to hear and believe Your
Word and to KNOW that I have been saved by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus
on the cross is the foundation of my life. I have no greater joy, no
greater hope, no greater peace. I long for Christ's return and ask that
You continue Your work in me, that I may be a faithful witness of the Gospel to
all I meet. My heart is set on pleasing You, Father, and I give You
thanks and praise. I love You, Father, because You first loved me ... in
Jesus' name, Amen"
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