Calendar Date: November 23
Day of the Year: 327
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Thessalonians
Faithful Endurance
Whitewater rafting requires constant attention and stamina to avoid capsizing. Like white water rafting, we must navigate churning waters and rocks in our lives.
When rough circumstances come, we wonder why they are happening to our family, church, business, or other organization. We try to be faithful, play by all the rules, and live with integrity. Everyone knows we’re loving, reasonable people, and we’re friendly to our neighbors. We try to be witnesses to God’s grace and mercy, and yet we are suffering for it. It shouldn’t be. Maybe we should just quit, give into the current, and drown in our culture. What encouragement is there to stay upright, keep paddling, and faithfully endure our circumstances?
The Apostle Paul visited the believers in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-10). The Thessalonian believers were saved from lives of idol worship and sexual immorality. They tried to act like Christians, but lived in a sex-crazed culture connected with idol worship.When Paul moved on to other cities, he was concerned about their welfare; he didn’t want his efforts to be wasted. He tried to visit them but was delayed, so he sent them Timothy, his helper in the ministry. Timothy eased Paul’s mind with a favorable report from the Thessalonian believers. Paul was delighted to hear from him that, despite severe persecutions, they were still standing strong.
Paul writes to the Thessalonians and speaks well of the believers for being loyal to God, even while enduring persecutions, just as he is doing (1Thessalonians 1:2-7).Like Elijah in the times of Israel’s King Ahab (1Kings 19:13-18), we may think we’re the only ones dedicated to God, but there are many others. We should continue to be faithful like them.
Here are some things the Apostle Paul tells the Thessalonians to do or watch out for as they are striving to live the faithful life:
Be Pure
Since they’re surrounded by immorality, Paul wants them to exercise self-control. Sex outside of marriage wars against our spirits, not just our bodies (1Peter 2:11). Many ministries, families, or other organizations have been maimed or destroyed by one person’s foolish and careless actions. “The Lord will punish men for all such sins, … for God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1Thessalonians 4:6b,7, NIV).
Support Each Other
Paul encourages the Thessalonian believers to continually show brotherly love and even increase their love for each other. Christians should be known for their love for each other and their neighbors. The support of our brothers and sisters is especially crucial during times of persecution.
Live with Integrity
Next, he instructs the believers to live with integrity and to work with zeal and honesty. If they do this, they’ll have effective testimonies to share with others. He urges them to be busy, not busybodies, and to lead a quiet life.
Remember, Jesus is coming back. We want him to be proud of us. Jesus is their hope, and he’s our hope if we have trusted in the Lord for our salvation. If we die before he comes, then our bodies will be among the first to be resurrected and join our spirits to meet him in the air. We’ll not be forgotten (1Thessalonians 4:13-18).Also, we’ll not suffer the wrath that is to come upon the entire world on the Day of the Lord (the seven-year tribulation time before Jesus comes back to earth). Instead, we’ll be saved from it (1Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9).
God Wants Us to Stay Busy
While waiting for the coming of the Lord, Paul gives them a “grocery list” of things to do. This would occupy them (and us) until he comes. One thing he tells them (and us) is to be alert and self-controlled. We can read the rest of his instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22. Keeping busy for the Lord is profitable and keeps our minds off our circumstances, which may not be pleasant to endure.
Paul sums up his first message to the Thessalonians with a blessing: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1Thessalonians 5:23, NIV). If we respond right, our trials will only strengthen us.
Discussion
The Christian life is not always easy. What motivates us to keep following Christ?
What are some things that we should do or watch out for as we live the Christian life?
Focus Verse
1Thessalonians 5:23 (NIV) “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me (Rod, the author)
Looking Ahead: Persecution can be difficult to deal with. How can we handle physical and mental cruelty?
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