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I Thessalonians 5:12-13 – We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.  Be at peace among yourselves.

Paul has now come to the closing portion of his letter where he briefly instructs believers on several last-minute but important points. 

It is safe to assume that these final reminders were given to address some minor problems within the Thessalonian church.  As we go through our study, we will see that these minor issues can pop up in any church, at any time.  For this reason, it’s good for us to study them.    

Based on verses 12-13, it becomes apparent that there were some people in the congregation who did not treat their pastors and/or leaders with due respect.

In this particular instance, Paul is not talking about himself (or Silas or Timothy).  He is referring to leaders that he (or his team) put into place before they left.  We know this because in every church Paul founded, it was his common practice to appoint elders, deacons, and bishops to lead the church on a daily basis:

Philippians 1:1 - Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Titus 1:5 - For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed you:

It is the job of these individuals to ‘labor’ within the church (I Corinthians 15:10 & 16:16).  The word ‘labor’ implies wearisome or difficult toil and constant work.  It perfectly describes the role of pastors. 

It is the responsibility of pastors and leaders to dedicate themselves to prayer, to reading and meditating on the word, and to hearing the voice of God.  You may not see them doing this, but it goes on behind the scenes all the time.    

Their burden of responsibility is enormous; they must lovingly give the congregants spiritual truth, warn them of imminent dangers, encourage them to perform their Christian duties, assist them in the use and development of spiritual gifts and correct those who go astray. 

In order to effectively perform these duties, the pastors and leaders must possess wisdom (both worldly and spiritual), maturity and a thorough knowledge of the scriptures.  They must be able to hear the voice of Holy Spirit.  They should be people of upright character, discretion and patience.  They must have the ability to hear both sides of an issue without jumping to conclusions.    

I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted just reading this job description!

As members of a church congregation, we should all stop and remind ourselves that there are NO perfect people.  Pastors and church leaders are undoubtedly hard working, God-fearing men and women, but they aren’t perfect.  Although they are mature and wise, they too will make mistakes.  They will occasionally say something they wish they hadn’t.  Sometimes they may fail or let you down.    

But for the most part, I think we can all agree that they are amazing people, appointed to their positions of authority by God himself.  God has given them the tools and abilities to lead the congregation just like a shepherd leads his flock. 

For instance, they offer solid, nutritious spiritual food through preaching and teaching.  They will lead you into waters of refreshment/showers of blessing through praise and worship.  They will help you identify and steer clear of ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’.  They will encourage you to grow in faith and if you go astray, they will bring you back. 

They will faithfully and lovingly walk with you during some of the most significant events of your life – when you are baptized, when you have children, when you marry (or divorce), when you have serious emergencies, and when someone you love dies.  Their labor is a gift from God to us - and what a wonderful gift it is!

On top of all that, pastors and leaders bear another burden as well - they will give an account of their stewardship over the flock.  Supreme authority does not reside with pastors; they themselves operate in submission to the one in authority over them, which is Jesus.  As such, they must lead with a spirit of meekness and love.  They must use their positions of authority to edify, guide, protect and feed the flock just as Christ would do.

John 10:11 – I [Jesus] am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

Without a good leadership team, the church in Thessalonica would soon have folded.  The same is true in churches today.  God has appointed pastors, teachers, elders and others to hold positions of authority in the church.  When these leaders are strong and diligent, the church is an active and powerful part of the body of Christ. 

But if the leadership is distracted or busy or spiritually lazy, the church will, at best, be ineffective in this world.  Worse yet, it could become a hindrance to the kingdom of heaven.        

If you are having trouble giving respect to your pastors and leaders, there must be a reason.  Why not examine yourself first? 

• Are you holding some kind of grudge because you feel like they let you down?  If so, go clear the air with them. 
• Do you feel like they haven’t been preaching or teaching sound doctrine?  Again, you owe it to them (and yourself) to meet them privately and discuss the matter.
• Maybe you don’t appreciate your pastors and leaders because you have forgotten just how much they do for you.  Why not take some time to recall the moments in your life when they were there with truth, love, support and comfort? 

In the end, you need to have a true spirit of appreciation, thanksgiving, obedience and love for your spiritual leaders.  If you simply cannot give them that, it may be time to change churches.

Paul goes on to say that in addition to respecting spiritual authority, the congregation of believers is to be at peace among themselves.  That’s because nothing kills a church quicker than disunity. 

Satan is always on the lookout for an opportunity to sow discord and strife within a congregation.  He knows that when arguments, strife and division prevail, all work in the church will cease.  However, where mutual love, respect, forgiveness and unity are present, successful ministry will follow.  That’s why the apostle James tells us to admit our faults and to pray for one another:

James 5:16 – Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Operating in this manner promotes peace and unity in the body of Christ.

One additional note:  Some scholars believe that having ‘peace among themselves’ does not refer to the congregation as a whole, but to each individual member. 

Those who hold this viewpoint feel that Paul was referring to the peace of each individual in their own heart, which can only be obtained by being mindful of the sacrifice of Christ and his forgiveness of their sin. 

When we each have peace within ourselves, we are at peace with those around us.

I Thessalonians 5:14 – And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

The responsibilities mentioned in this verse are given to ‘brothers’.  In other words, they are not just for the leadership of the church.  They are given to all members of the body.

Admonish the idle:  To admonish is to warn against danger or to notify of a fault. 

The original Greek word for ‘idle’ is actually a military term.  It refers to men who are ‘out of their ranks’ or those who are disorderly, unoccupied/inactive, insubordinate and meddlesome.    

As we noted in an earlier post, there were people in the Thessalonian church who were idle – they had quit their jobs, they were living off the donations of others, and they spent their time gossiping and stirring up trouble in the church. 

Notice that people like this are not to be ignored or put up with.  They are to be notified or warned that their actions are unacceptable and must be changed.  This is for their own good; if they continue on this path it will lead to sins of both commission and omission (James 4:17). 

It is also for the good of the entire church because people who consistently act this way cause animosity and division in the church.  

Thus, it is the duty of each member of the church to humbly and meekly confront those who are living contrary to the commands of the gospel.  This should be done quietly and in love whenever possible.  However, there may be times when a sharp reproof is needed to get that person back on the straight and narrow path.  I suggest consulting the leadership of the church before giving a strong rebuke like this.    

Encourage the faint of heart/help the weak:  The faint of heart are Christians who are staggering under a heavy load.  For example, in the Thessalonian church, some members were staggering under the weight of grief because of their lost loved ones.  Others were ‘faint of heart’ because they were suffering persecution or severe trials. 

The term ‘weak’ applies to believers who are without spiritual strength or stamina.  They are spiritually fearful.  For example, they may live in fear of God’s wrath, or have feelings of unworthiness due to a consistent sin.  In the Thessalonian church this also included people who were under the bondage of ceremonial rites (the Jews) and had no confidence in their Christian liberty. 

These brothers and sisters are not to be reprimanded like the idle.  They are to be encouraged and strengthened by the members of the church. 

Romans 15:1-2 – We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please is neighbor for his good, to build him up.

We can’t help but notice that many times these faint or weak members of the church are simply ignorant of what God says.  For instance, some of the Thessalonian believers staggered under the weight of grief because they did not know that God was going to resurrect the dead when he returned for the living. 

With sound teaching, the support of mature Christians and personal spiritual growth, believers who are weak or faint of heart will grow in faith and become spiritually strong.  

Here is an interesting point to consider: There comes a time in the life of EVERY Christian when they are discouraged or disheartened because they have suffered a defeat at the hands of Satan, or they made a critical mistake/missed an opportunity, or they are waiting for an answer to prayer/the fulfillment of a promise which never seems to come.

In short, they are spiritually struggling.  Even mature believers can experience this from time to time.  In fact, if you’ve been a Christian long enough, you’ve probably experienced this yourself.  

As you think back on those struggles, one thing becomes very clear - There was a point when you received deliverance.  Eventually you walked through the consequences of your failure, or God answered your prayer, or you saw the fulfillment of the promise. 

Coming through such a trial (or failure) gives you experience in dealing with these situations.  It gives you a testimony to the faithfulness of God. 

In a sense, these testimonies and experiences are the property of the entire church.  The victories and triumphs of every believer are the means by which others are encouraged and strengthened to continue the fight or hold on to their faith until the promise becomes reality.  Simply stated, your testimony can make a difference in someone else’s life.  Your victory gives them hope.

 You and I may want to keep these testimonies and experiences a secret, because we don’t want to admit to having any problems in our lives.  However, if we think this way, we are walking in pride.  We are denying God the glory he deserves for moving on our behalf.

Don’t get me wrong – we don’t want to constantly bring up each other’s faults or to go into unnecessary details about our moral failures.  But by the same token, the trials we have endured and the victories we have won are of incalculable value to those who are currently struggling with the same problems. 

Let me say it one more time:  Your testimony, your support, and your prayers could be the very means by which struggling saints are encouraged and strengthened until they find their own deliverance.

So be a blessing to others – share your story!

 Be patient towards all men:  As a wise person once noted, the idle, the weak and the faint of heart will, without a doubt, exercise your patience and try your temper! 

The fact is, each one of us is at a different stage in our Christian maturity.  Each one of us faces unique situations and temptations.  Likewise, each one of us deserves the love and support of our fellow church members. 

Romans 15:5-6 – May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Remember, mature believers should have a healthy dose of the fruit of the Spirit growing in their lives.  This includes kindness, gentleness, patience, long suffering and self control.

As we practice patience and long suffering, God is glorified and the church is strengthened.   

I Thessalonians 5:15 – See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Paul goes on to say that Christians should never be in a position where they are ‘repaying evil for evil’ or, in other words, we should never be seeking revenge or acting in a vindictive manner.

I Peter 3:9 – Do no repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called that you may obtain a blessing.  

Keep in mind that this applies to what might be described as personal revenge.  It does not mean that we cannot challenge evil in our government or society.

Then Paul goes one step further – he reveals that it isn’t enough to simply refrain from revenge.  We must go the extra mile by showing goodness to all people, even those who have injured us.  ‘Good’ includes anything that is honest, morally pure, profitable and glorifying to God.  It includes good works that are done in faith from an attitude of love.   

Romans 12:21 – Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.

The phrase ‘always seek’ carries the connotation of ‘pursing with eagerness’, like a hunter pursues his prey.  The idea is that when someone wrongs you, you should respond by actively looking for a way to bless them by doing something good. 

Galatians 6:10 – As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

As Christians, we have a special relationship with those in our local body.  Nevertheless, good is to be poured out upon all – sinners as well as the saints; upon the unlovely as well as those we love; upon the evil and on the righteous.  This gives us the chance to strengthen believers and witness to the lost (Matthew 5:16).

Let’s circle back to the Thessalonian church.  The majority of believers in that group were Gentiles who were known for their long-standing feuds with other people.  The idea of reacting with goodness instead of revenge was a new and astonishing concept for them.  It was difficult to mentally grasp, much less live out in their daily lives!

This was why the members of the church (not just the leaders) were instructed to encourage, strengthen and admonish each other. 

Let me offer you some encouragement:

As Christians, good works are often second nature to us.  But there are those times when we find ourselves being judgmental about a situation or a person.  During those times, we need to stop, take a deep breath, and remind ourselves that in the matter of practicing good, we must let Jesus be our example:

Acts 10:38 – How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

If Jesus only did good some of the time, or if he judged people instead of showing them goodness, then we would have the right to do that as well.  But obviously, that was not the case. 

As Paul teaches us, we should actively be pursuing good, just as a hunter actively purses his prey.  We should be ready to show that goodness to sinners as well as saints.

Hebrews 10:24 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…

Notice that scripture not only encourages us to do good works, it encourages us to think about ways to stir up good works in our fellow man!  Why not practice that this week?

Let me offer you some relief:

In today’s post, Paul instructs us NOT to render evil for evil, or in other words, not to seek revenge. 

Let’s be honest – there are certain circumstances where revenge seems like a good idea.

But, like everything in the kingdom of darkness, that is a lie.  Revenge doesn’t heal you; it poisons your life and brings death.  It doesn’t set you free; it binds you and makes you a miserable person.  Revenge will destroy your mind and heart, rob you of your time, kill your relationships, and steal your peace. 

So stop and ask yourself this question:  Who likes to steal, kill, destroy?  Who wants to keep you in bondage through sin?  That’s right – our enemy Satan.  It’s obvious that the desire for revenge springs from your fallen nature/sinful flesh.  Therefore, it is something that must be crucified:

Galatians 5:24 – And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  

The bottom line is that if you want/need some relief in your life, get rid of revenge (and his wicked step brother, unforgiveness)!

Let me offer you some strength:

‘Admonishing the idle’ or correcting another believer in the church is not something that any of us want to do.  Most of us avoid it at all costs.

But if we do it properly, it can be a blessing and a benefit to the idle person and to the whole church.  The first step is actually to examine your own motivation.  Are you truly concerned about the spiritual state of your fellow Christian, or are you acting out of anger or pride? 

Anytime we look to correct another, it should be done out of true concern and in a humble manner:   

Galatians 6:1 - Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

If you try to correct a brother or sister with any other motivation, you will just be causing more trouble in the church.  If you aren’t sure, speak to the pastor or one of the elders before you proceed. 

Furthermore, if you feel called to help with correction, you should know that it isn’t simply a matter of pointing out a sin – you are required to help restore this person back to spiritual health. 

In essence, you are taking on some of the burden of walking them through the situation.  You should be involved in helping them see the truth, praying with them and generally supporting them until they are spiritually restored. 

 

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I Thessalonians 5:6 – So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

Welcome back, dear readers!  In our last few posts we have been examining the doctrine of physical death and resurrection. 

Specifically, Paul describes sinners as people who are spiritually asleep.  Because of their rejection of the gospel, they will be surprised by (and unprepared for) the return of the Lord. 

However, this will not be the case for Christians.  We are spiritually awake.  We are fully cognizant of the fact that, at the time appointed by the Father, Jesus will return to earth to claim his bride and judge the world. 

Here in verse six, the word ‘so’ acts as a bridge between the prior explanation of Paul and the conclusions he will reach in the following verses. 

In other words, because of the fact that Christians do not live in spiritual darkness and because we are very well aware that Christ will return to the world as both Savior and Judge, certain things should be true in our lives. 

First of all, we need to take great care not to fall asleep like the heathen.  This is a concerning command because it implies that we can become cold or complacent or apathetic in our Christian lives.  In fact, Jesus told the disciples that this very thing would occur right before his return: 

Matthew 24:12 - And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold.

In this verse ‘iniquity’ includes the sins of those who persecute believers, the lies/deceptions of false teachers and the sin/wickedness that prevails in the lives of Christians.

Notice that the increased level of sin causes the Christian’s love of Christ to grow cold.  In essence, it puts him or her into spiritual slumber!   

If this happens to enough Christians, their local church can become spiritually asleep just like unbelievers.  This appears to have been the case for the church in Sardis:

Revelation 3:1-3 - …”I know your works.  You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard.  Keep it, and repent.  If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.”

Here is a sobering thought – Jesus isn’t speaking these words to the world; he is addressing his own church!

But there is also good news.  Jesus warns his followers and gives them a chance to wake up and change.   

As individuals, it is critical that we do not become careless in our personal holiness.  When we indulge in the lusts and sinful pleasures of this life, they drive a wedge into our relationship with Christ.  They cause us to grow complacent about spiritual things. 

When we grow complacent, we are no longer diligent in our stewardship/service to the King.  We miss opportunities to bring him glory, to share the gospel message, to defend the truth and to fight the good fight of faith. 

In short, we become like salt that has lost its saltiness (Matthew 5:13) or we become like a lamp that has been hidden (Matthew 5:15-16).  Our relationship with Christ turns into nothing more than a mere profession of religion.  When this happens we are spiritually sleeping!

In light of this possibility, we are commanded to ‘keep awake’ (your translation may say ‘watch’). 

This means that each one of us must be on our guard against the tricks of the devil.  We must actively monitor our hearts, thoughts, affections, words and actions.  If we find something amiss in our lives, it is important for us to immediately repent.  This will close the door of access that the enemy has opened into our lives. 

There are also things we can do to avoid his attacks altogether.  For instance, we can repel him by filling our hearts and minds with the word of God, by exercising our faith, by speaking words that bring life, and by staying in the presence of God through prayer and worship.

Not only are we to be awake, we are to be sober or sober-minded.  To be sober-minded is to have a clear, rational, balanced understanding of life.  It involves being free of literal intoxication (poisoning from drugs, alcohol, etc) as well as spiritual intoxication (poisoning or mental impairment due to sin, worldly passions, etc). 

The Christian who is sober-minded is spiritually mature and able to think clearly.  They can see potential dangers or snares that our enemy has laid for us.  It includes the ability to recognize both lies and half-truths.  The sober-minded Christian is characterized by sound reasoning and good judgment; they are able to resist emotional extremes. 

As Christians, we need to remind ourselves that we live in this world, but ultimately we are not part of it.  We have been bought with the precious blood of Christ and we belong to him. 

1 Corinthians 6:20 - For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.          

Those who are spiritually sober will be ready for the return of Christ at all times.  They walk humbly through life with a realistic understanding of their own talents, gifts and abilities, which they dedicate to the Master’s use.  

Before we move on, let’s touch on one side note – being sober-minded does not make you sour, gloomy or unable to have any fun.  In reality, the opposite is true – we have the joy of the Lord, which is a strength to us during times of trial.  God has given us a garment of praise in place of a spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:3), which ultimately results in his glory. 

The world finds happiness in favorable circumstances and material possessions, which are both as fleeting as the wind.  They can be here one moment and gone the next.  But joy and peace are part of the Christian life regardless of the circumstances we walk through.

Plus, Jesus himself said that we should approach his kingdom as little children. If you are around kids at all, you know they love laughter and fun.

I Thessalonians 5:7 – For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.

Some sinners are thoughtless and careless.  They slumber over moral and spiritual subjects.  If they consider the spiritual realm at all, it is with dreamy unconcern. 

But there are other emissaries of Satan who stay awake at night actively seeking to do evil.  Paul describes them as those who are drunk.  These people promote and indulge in every kind of evil and wickedness, hiding their shameful actions under as much cover as possible.  They seek to snare the unwary into being drunk too.    

I Thessalonians 5:8 – But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you know that God has provided us with a set of spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13-17).  This armor has both offensive and defensive components. 

However, in this particular instance, Paul only makes note of two items – the helmet and the breastplate. 

The helmet and the breastplate are both defensive pieces of equipment.  They protect two of the most vital parts of the body – the head and the heart.

Breastplate of faith and love:  In Ephesians 6, the breastplate is described as the breastplate of righteousness, but here Paul calls it the breastplate of faith and love.  Is this a mistake or a discrepancy?  Of course not!  Scripture tells us that the righteousness imputed to man by Christ Jesus (which is for our justification/salvation) can be described as ‘faith working by love’:

Galatians 5:5-6 - For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.  For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.

Bible scholars note that faith in Christ is the motivation which works inside our hearts, while love towards God and mankind is the outward manifestation of that same faith.  Together these two virtues help guard us against every kind of evil.  Therefore, they result in righteousness. 

Helmet, the hope of salvation:   The presence of Holy Spirit has been given to us as a down payment or an earnest of our future salvation (II Corinthians 1:22 & 5:5, Ephesians 4:30). 

So, in a sense, we possess salvation now even though we have not yet experienced the full manifestation of it.  Paul already told us that when Christ returns, he will summon us to himself in the sky, and once that happens, we will never be separated from him again (I Thessalonians 4:17).  That is when the full manifestation will occur.

Until that time, we live by faith in hope.  The hope of salvation sustains our courage during the trials of life.  It gives us the strength to continue fighting the spiritual battle.   

Once again, we find Paul making mention of the three most important Christian virtues – faith, hope and love (I Corinthians 13:13).  

Faith enables us to endure the difficulties and disappointments of this life, because it allows us to ‘see’ Christ and his glorious plans.  Love motivates us to actively and diligently show the love of God to others, while overlooking their faults, and thus bring them into the kingdom of heaven.  Meanwhile, hope allows us to anticipate the final end of all things.  On that day (the return of Christ), the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and we shall reap the rewards of our stewardship in this life.  Hallelujah!

I Thessalonians 5:9 – For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

When God sent his Son into the world, he acted out of perfect mercy and perfect love.  His primary motivation was to save the world, not condemn it:

John 3:17 - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Scripture is very clear that it is God’s will that no one should spiritually perish, but that everyone would be saved through the ministry of Christ (II Peter 3:9) and enjoy all the benefits of being a child of God.

What could be greater than salvation?  It delivers us from the wrath of justice, the penalty of the law, the bondage and tyranny of Satan, the root and fruit of evil and from our own corrupt hearts.  It procures our pardon and atones for our sin.  It reunites us with the Father.  Thank you, Jesus!

Notice that God has ‘destined’ (your translation may say ‘appointed’) us to salvation.  The word ‘destined’ does not speak of hastiness or some kind of knee-jerk reaction.  It indicates a well thought out and perfectly executed plan. 

God, in his divine and perfect council, determined that his Son would be the Mediator between God and man (both Jews and Gentiles), before the foundations of the earth were laid (I Peter 1:18-20, Revelation 13:8, Ephesians 1:4).  The plan of salvation was determined long before man allowed sin to enter the world.  Thus, we can rest assured that it was ALWAYS God’s plan for us to be delivered from judgment.

So… since God does not destine/appoint men and women to suffer his wrath/judgment, who does?

Sadly, sinners appoint themselves to punishment and suffering when they willfully and obstinately refuse to believe and obey the gospel message.

God has appointed all of mankind for salvation, but he will still allow us to choose our own destiny.  Those who choose life in Christ are energized and motivated to be sober, to put on the armor of God, to fight the enemy and to watch for the Lord’s return. 

I Thessalonians 5:10 - …who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

What does Paul mean by saying whether we ‘wake or sleep we will live with him’?

Not surprisingly, scholars offer differing interpretations.  Here are a few:

One theory says that Paul is referring to the literal states of sleep and wakefulness in our daily lives.  Those who hold this view believe the meaning is that believers are always safe and secure, regardless of what is going on around us.  Should we perish or should Christ return, the outcome is the same - we are assured of our salvation.

A second theory says that the terms ‘awake’ and ‘asleep’ refer to the spiritual states of believers. Those who hold this theory say that some Christians are fully awake in their walk for Christ, while others are ‘sleepy’ - poor Christians but Christians nonetheless.  They believe the overall meaning of the passage is that all true Christians will be saved on that day, regardless of the quality of their walk with Christ.  They emphasize that salvation depends upon the sacrifice of Christ, not the degree of wakefulness of the believer. Therefore, salvation cannot be hindered by a drowsy spiritual life. 

A third theory maintains that in this verse, Paul circles back to the issue he addressed in chapter four, verse 13.  As we noted when we studied that verse, there was a false belief circulating among the church that those who died before the return of Christ were either omitted from heaven altogether, or they entered heaven at a significantly later time resulting in a loss of some eternal benefits.

But after much teaching on this subject, Paul concludes that it does not matter whether a Christian is awake (alive) or asleep (dead) when Jesus returns to earth; all those who count on him as Savior will be joined to him forever.  All will accompany him to heaven at the same time.  Thus, he is Lord of both the living and the dead; death cannot keep us from his presence.

Romans 14:9 - For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

Would you like to take a short side trip with me?  If so, read on.

Have you ever heard of something called ‘soul sleep’?  It is a theological concept found within some sects of Christianity (Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists and others). 

These groups believe that when a Christian dies, they enter something called ‘soul sleep’.  According to this point of view, the soul does not go to heaven or hell, it stays in the grave in a state of sleep or unconsciousness. While in this state of limbo, they are not aware of anything around them, including the passage of time.  Those who hold this theory believe that every dead person will remain in that state until the Lord returns.  At that time, they will rise to undergo judgment and then be sent to either heaven or hell.  

Those who oppose this theory believe that when a Christian dies, their empty body remains in the grave, but their spirit/soul goes on to heaven, where it lives with Christ.  When Christ returns, their spirits/souls are reunited with their bodies.  Then, their bodies are transformed into new bodies which are suitable for eternal life.

I mention this because I Thessalonians 5:10 is one of the key verses that speak AGAINST the validity of soul sleep; even if we are dead, we ‘live together with him’.  There are other scriptures that seem to discount this view as well.  For instance, Paul expected to be with Christ immediately upon his death (Philippians 1:23); he makes no mention of a period of limbo before meeting the Lord.  

The good news is that regardless of which view you believe, Christians can expect to spend eternity with Jesus.

In conclusion, we find that Paul’s discourse on this subject served a number of different purposes:

• It corrected the false beliefs that were circulating in the church. 
• It gave comfort to those who had loved ones that had already died. 
• It prompted an earnest expectation of the second coming of Christ, which provided encouragement to the believers.   

I Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Paul ends this portion of his letter by telling the Thessalonians to comfort and encourage each other with this doctrine – but which doctrine is he referring to?

He may be referring to the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, or that of the second coming of Christ, or the thought of being with Christ (and our loved ones) forever.  In truth, all these doctrines bring great solace to Christians of every generation.

He may also have been telling them to encourage each other to be spiritually awake at all times, watching for the return of Christ and guarding against spiritual slothfulness.

Regardless of the specifics, the overall meaning is that by discussing these ideas together, or reminding one another of them, we can build each other up in faith, hope and love. 

Let me offer you some encouragement, relief and strength:

In today’s post the apostle Paul continues to discuss the eventual return of Christ as well as the death and resurrection of the saints and the importance of faith, hope and love. 

In studying this portion of scripture, I ran across this rather startling statement in the Pulpit Bible Commentary:

“The early Christians were mistaken in regarding that time [the return of Christ] as at hand, and we perhaps may be equally mistaken in regarding it as distant.”

Wow – this observation brings up some important and relevant questions.

When was the last time you thought about or meditated on the reality of the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, or your own state of spiritual watchfulness?

What if Christ returns before the end of this year?  How will he find you - Asleep at the wheel?  Consumed with the cares of this life?  Or the diligent and faithful steward you want to be? 

The fact is, consideration of the return of Christ (and/or the reality of our own eventual death) helps to keep us spiritually awake and active.  Therefore, it is a good thing to regularly consider.

Now think about this:  When is the last time someone you know lost a loved one to death?  Did you avoid that situation all together or did you feel uncomfortable because you didn’t know what to say?   

If so, then you clearly haven’t been meditating on the death and resurrection of the saints.  True hope and comfort can be found in the knowledge that our loved ones will be raised to life again, at the return of Christ.  Once we are all united with him, we will never again be separated.  We will experience the eternal joys of God together.

Let me leave you with this question:  How will consideration of the return of Christ influence the way you live your life this week?

 

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I Thessalonians 5:1 – Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.

At the end of chapter four, Paul was giving the Thessalonians divine truth regarding physical death and resurrection.  The basic truths he relayed were these:

• At a time appointed by the Father, Jesus will descend from heaven to gather his bride (the church) and take her home. 
• At the incarnation, Christ came humbly and in relative obscurity.  However, on his return he will come in all of his majesty and glory. 
• Jesus will not be coming alone; he will be attended by an innumerable host who will raise a shout as he descends. 
• This momentous occasion will also be marked by the sounding of trumpets, which is fitting for the King of kings and Lord of lords. 
• Christ will not touch the earth.  He will hover somewhere in the earth’s atmosphere (where he can be seen throughout the world) and give a command for the righteous dead to rise. 
• An archangel will carry this command all around the world. 
• The dead will rise to meet Jesus in the air, where their bodies will be transformed into new spiritual bodies fit for life in heaven. 
• After the dead have risen, Christians who are alive at this time will also be ‘caught up’ to meet Christ in the air.  They too will receive new bodies. 
• At that point, Christians will be forever united with Christ.

Now let’s pause and ask ourselves a question:  If we had just heard that amazing teaching for the first time, what would our first follow up question be? 

Normal curiosity would lead most people to ask WHEN those events were going to occur.

Paul anticipates this question and he answers it by saying there was no need for him to write anything related to ‘times and seasons’.  What does he mean by that?

One of the Greek words for time is chronos.  It refers to the simple marking of time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc. 

For example, when you ‘clock in’ or report to work on a specific day at a specific time, to labor for a specific number of hours, that is chronos.  This is the word used in passages such as Matthew 25:19, Revelation 10:6 and Hebrews 4:7.

Keiros is another Greek word for time, but it refers to periods of time which are suitable/proper for a particular task.  In English, this word is properly translated as ‘season’.   

For example, we might say there is a time for the harvest (Matthew 13:30), but we can’t pin it down to a specific day and hour.  Any farmer will tell you that the exact time will vary depending upon the maturity of the crop, the weather, the amount of daylight, or his available resources. 

So it is more accurate to say that the harvest occurs in an opportune period of time which is suitable for gathering crops.  Therefore, it is a season (keiros).

There are many such seasons mentioned in scripture.  King Solomon speaks of seasons of time in the famous passage of scripture in Ecclesiastes chapter three:  

Ecclesiastes 3:2-3 – For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted… 

Now let’s circle back to our text.  Paul tells the Thessalonians that there is no need to discuss the exact time or even the season in which Christ will return to earth.  The implication is that there is no need to discuss it because they already know the answer to this question.  How is that possible?  

They know it because they were no doubt familiar with the teachings of Jesus.  Hence, they were fully aware that the apostles had already asked Jesus the ‘when’ question during their discussion of the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the age:   

Matthew 24:3 – As he [Jesus] sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

(See also Acts 1:6, Luke 21:7).  Jesus gives them several signs which will mark the season of his return, but he does not give them a definite date and time.  In fact, he makes it very clear that God has no intention of revealing this information to any of us:    

Matthew 24:36 – “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

(See also Acts 1:7).  Therefore, any guess or calculation or speculation regarding the time of Christ’s return is empty, futile and spiritually unprofitable. 

Clearly, the purpose of Paul’s teaching on death and resurrection was not to reveal the time of Christ’s return.  It was to give comfort, hope and encouragement to believers. 

Specifically, its purpose was to stir up their faith, to alleviate their grief concerning their departed loved ones, and to give them strength to continue in the faith despite persecution/opposition to the gospel.

Since that is the case, the information regarding the inevitable and magnificent return of Christ should affect the daily lives of believers.  They should not quit their jobs and become idle.  Again, they should not spend their time in useless speculation or vain curiosity.  It should be enough for them (and us) to know that God, in his own wisdom and sovereignty, has a time set aside for this important event (John 14:3). 

In the meantime, we have work to do.  We have been given stewardship over God’s kingdom on earth.  We are to use our time, talents and resources to spread the gospel, to take authority over darkness and to minister to the hurting.

Matthew 25:13 – Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. 

Like the ten virgins in the parable (Matthew 25:1-13), we need to be constantly watching for the return of our Lord, so we can be ready when he comes. 

I Thessalonians 5:2 – For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

The expression ‘day of the Lord’ is taken from the Old Testament where it generally refers to a time that God has fixed for a visitation of his presence.  These visitations are almost always accompanied by vengeance or punishment: 

Isaiah 2:12 - For the day of the LORD of hosts shall come upon everyone that is proud and lofty, and upon everyone that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: 

(See also Joel 2:1 & 3:14, Jeremiah 46:10, Ezekiel 13:5, Amos 5:18, etc).  In the New Testament, the definition has become synonymous with the great day when Jesus will return as King of kings and Lord of lords as well as the judge of all the earth. 

Although we know nothing about the time of his return, he does give us some details regarding the manner of his return – he will appear as a thief in the night.  This indicates that his return will happen suddenly and unexpectedly.

When a thief breaks into a house, he does so without giving any advanced warning or indication of his plans.  When the sleeping home owners are awakened by his presence, they are shocked, dismayed, fearful and hopeless.

Matthew 24:42-43 – Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.

(See also Revelation 3:3 & 16:15, II Peter 3:10).  In the same way, since sinners are spiritually asleep, they will be completely unprepared for the return of Christ.  Indeed, many of them may be unaware that he plans to return at all!

In either case, they will have no warning; for them, the day of the Lord will be sudden and unexpected and full of woe. 

I Thessalonians 5:3 – While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

On that day, the wicked will be fully convinced of their own safety and prosperity.  They will falsely believe that man has achieved a ‘golden age’ - a state of lasting peace, prosperity, equality and happiness for himself. 

But in reality, when they think they are the most secure, they will be in the greatest danger!     

Having scorned all warnings and rejected every opportunity to embrace the gospel message, they will be completely unprepared for Christ’s return; they will not escape the judgment that has suddenly come upon them any more than a woman can escape the pains of labor.   

In the scriptures, the concept of a woman in labor is often used to denote great consternation - amazement and horror that confounds the mind and causes dismay, panic and alarm. 

Psalms 48:6 – Trembling took hold of them [the enemies of Israel] there, anguish as of a woman in labor.

(See also Jeremiah 6:24, Micah 4:9-10, Isaiah 13:8, Jeremiah 4:31 & 13:21).  This is an appropriate comparison because, like labor pains, the judgment of the wicked will be sharp, severe, and unavoidable.  Just as a woman’s pain comes from within herself, so the judgment of the wicked comes from ‘within themselves’ or as the result of their own choice to reject Christ and retain their sins and transgressions.       

Consequently, the wicked will experience ‘sudden’ (unforeseen or unexpected) destruction. 

While our translation says this destruction will come upon them (future tense), the original language reflects the present tense.  In other words, at this very moment destruction is standing over the wicked and unless they repent, it will suddenly fall upon them. 

This is a principle that history has shown us time and time again: 

• During the days of Noah, the wicked of that generation rejected all chances of escape and were suddenly drowned. 
• The citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah were warned by Lot before they were suddenly consumed by fire and brimstone. 
• Belshazzar heard the testimony of Daniel and saw the handwriting on the wall before the sudden fall of Babylon.   
• The Jews in Jerusalem who rejected Christ were suddenly slaughtered or placed into slavery by the Romans. 

So it will be with the sinners who have contempt for God.  Though the gospel is preached far and wide, they will either die in their sin or find themselves face to face with the One they have scorned and rejected, resulting in sudden destruction.  What a sobering thought! 

It should be noted that ‘destruction’ is defined as:  to demolish, to devastate/ruin, to pull down, to consume or to waste.  It does not necessarily mean annihilation.  This is in keeping with scripture which tells us that the wicked do not cease to exist.  Rather, being cut off from salvation, they will experience eternal torment for their sin and rejection of Christ.     

This destruction will be all the more miserable and terrifying because it came during a time when they felt they were safe.    

I Thessalonians 5:4 – But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Paul now offers a word of comfort and relief to the church at Thessalonica - there is a big difference between the righteous and the wicked. 

Christians will not be surprised at the return of the Lord because we are anxiously watching and waiting for this event to happen.  When it does, we have no reason to fear because we are diligently serving him.

For the Christian, the return of Christ is a glorious day; a day of resurrection and redemption and vindication and rejoicing and reward:

Hebrews 9:28 – So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Revelation 22:12 - And, behold, I [Jesus] come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Not only are we prepared for his return, we can encourage each other in the faith by reminding ourselves that this day is coming!  Regardless of whether we will be alive or dead when Christ returns, we will meet him in the air and be with him forevermore! Hallelujah!  

I Thessalonians 5:5 – For you are all children of light, children of the day.  We are not of the night or of the darkness.

Sinners will be caught off guard by the day of the Lord because they continuously walk in darkness, and are thus spiritually blind and deaf.  As John Calvin says in his commentary, “No darkness is more dense than ignorance of God.”  

Christians, however, are ‘children of light/day’.  This Hebraism (a peculiar expression or idiom of the Hebrew language) means that we live in the light of Christ. 

This is possible because we were called into spiritual enlightenment by Holy Spirit.  He helped us see our lost state, understand the bondage of sin and recognize the insufficiency of our own righteousness.  He introduced us to Christ through the gospel, and quickened our hearts to accept his grace and forgiveness.

John 8:12 - Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  

Because we live in the light of Christ, our spiritual eyes and ears are fully functioning; we are always spiritually awake and active.

Because we have been enlightened by the gospel, we walk in godliness and holiness, striving to keep the commandments of God.  We don’t do this out of fear.  We do it because it is in keeping with our redeemed nature and because we love the One who has forgiven and saved us (John 14:21).   

Now let’s switch gears for just a moment. 

The Jews had a belief (based on Psalms 9:7-8) that God would judge the Gentiles in the night time, when they were utterly secure and careless, but he would judge the Jews in the day time, when employed in reading and performing the words of the law.  

Regardless of the accuracy or inaccuracy of this belief, it does cause us to pause and consider our own service/stewardship to God.

Every single day we are to walk in the light of Christ and be faithful stewards.  But there are times when we can become spiritually lazy, disobedient or inattentive.  We must be on our guard against falling into these traps. 

Periodically meditating on the return of Christ will spur us into being the good and faithful stewards we desire to be.  So if you haven’t thought about the return of Christ for a while, now is a good time to think about it.  

If the Master returned today, would you be ready, or would you be embarrassed? 

Let me offer you some encouragement:

The truth is, if we had our way, most of us would love to know when the return of Christ will be.  But God knows that if we had that information, we would live our lives differently.  

Think of it this way:  If you knew that the return of Christ was a hundred years in the future, and you thought you had 40 years of life left, would you have a tendency to neglect some of your Christian duties?  Would you delay the pursuit of some areas of personal holiness?  Would you indulge in a sinful passion, knowing that you had time to repent later?  Would you put off doing good works until a more convenient time?    

We’d all like to think that we would never do those things, but the truth is, we just might!

So, not knowing the date of his return is actually a blessing because it encourages us to be close to him at all times!

Because we don’t know the day or the hour of his return, we live in a constant state of watchfulness.  We do everything we can, every day, to be good stewards of the kingdom.  Not only that, we do not neglect our relationship with Jesus.  We stay close to him in prayer, in praise and through reading his word.    

Let me offer you some relief:

This passage of scripture contains some good news for sinners – there is still time to turn from wickedness, embrace the forgiveness of Christ, and become a child of God! 

The era of grace is still open, but it will close at the return of Christ.  This is why the prophet Isaiah encourages sinners to seek God while he may still be found (Isaiah 55:6-7).

If you have a loved one who is still not saved, don’t give up hope!  God has a major spiritual harvest planned before Christ returns, so continue to lift them up in prayer. 

Continue to seek the advice of Holy Spirit on how to best share the gospel with them, and boldly do whatever he commands.

Let me offer you some strength:

I must confess that sometimes, when I am having a particularly bad day, I have been known to say, “Today would be a great day for the Lord to return.” 

In all honesty, I say that because I am overwhelmed or frustrated at my current circumstances.  The statement reflects a poor attitude more than anything else, and I probably shouldn’t say it.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that no matter what circumstances we face in this life, we have reason to rejoice.  Our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life which means that one day Jesus is going to return and gather us to himself.  That will be an astonishing day, full of glory and grandeur.

So the next time your circumstances get tough, dwell on the promise of that day!    

 

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I Thessalonians 4:15 – For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

As we noted in our last post, there were two main false beliefs circulating among the Thessalonian church regarding death and resurrection. 

The first was that there was no resurrection at all; only people who were alive at the return of Christ would be admitted to heaven.

The second belief was that the saints who were alive when the Lord returned would be immediately ushered into heaven while those who had already died would remain in a state of waiting for an undisclosed amount of time.  The end result was that some saints would have more benefits/blessings than others in the eternal realm.   

Paul puts these false ideas to rest by giving the Thessalonians the truth regarding physical death and the resurrection.  In our last post, Paul confirmed that every person will be resurrected.  Some will rise to experience everlasting life while others will receive everlasting death, but the fact is EVERYONE will be resurrected: 

Matthew 25:32, 46 – Before him [Jesus] will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  …and these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

(See Matthew 25:31-46 for full details).  In today’s passage, Paul makes it very clear that the living will not prevent the dead from rising, the living will not be changed (receive new bodies) before the dead, nor will the living be admitted to heaven any sooner than the dead or receive any special blessings/advantages.

But before we get into all that, let me ask you this:  Did you notice that the apostle says the message he is delivering is ‘a word from the Lord’?  What does he mean by that? 

Some scholars believe Paul discerned these truths through knowledge/study of Jesus’ discourses on earth.  Those who hold this view believe that Paul is simply speaking in the manner of the Old Testament prophets who often began their messages with ‘thus says the Lord’. 

Others believe that Holy Spirit gave Paul a divine, direct revelation of this truth, so there would be no confusion within the church.  In other words, it was a message straight from God!  Those who hold this point of view say that there is no way Paul could have discerned the specific details he shares here from the public discourses Christ gave.

The good news is that in either case, we can be sure that the words of Paul are not a tradition of some kind, an idea he made up on his own or a theory purported by others.  The source of this teaching is divine, and by faith it should be received as such.  

I Thessalonians 4:16 – For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Paul now gives us some more specific information about what will happen on that remarkable day.  

The Lord himself will descend from heaven:  When the time comes for us to depart for heaven, Jesus does not simply yell or whistle for us to come to him, nor does he send a messenger to get us. 

On the appointed day he himself, our Redeemer and Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will rise from his throne on the right hand of the Father, and personally come down to earth to claim his bride!  He will come visibly, in his human form.  We know this because scripture tells us that he will return in the same manner in which he left:

Acts 1:9-11 – And when he [Jesus] had said these things, as they [the disciples] were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?  This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”  

Furthermore, Jesus will not come silently or in secret.  He will not come humbly or in obscurity as he did during the incarnation.  This time, Jesus will come in all the dignity and splendor of his eternal majesty, accompanied by an innumerable host who will shout has he descends.     

With a cry of command:  Your translation may say ‘with a shout’.  The Greek word for command/shout means a clamor, a shout or a cry of excitement.  It refers to the collective shouts of an army going into battle.  The shouting does not communicate any particular orders or information; it simply represents a loud, stirring sound which draws attention to the events which are unfolding.

A careful reading of the text reveals that the Lord himself will not be shouting; it says the great multitude that attends him will be shouting, clamoring or crying out as he returns.  

With the voice of an archangel:  Scripture indicates that the angels are divided up into ranks and orders, much as an earthly army.  It is commonly believed that archangels are the highest rank of the angel army.   

So we know that there will be one or more of the highest ranking angels present on the momentous occasion of the resurrection.  We should not be surprised at this.  In fact, it would be ridiculous if the highest ranking officers in God’s angelic army were not present with their King to witness this important event and take some part in the proceedings.  Indeed, innumerable angels of all ranks will be present.

Think of it this way – this is a one-time event that all of heaven has been waiting for.  The Lamb sacrificed himself in order to redeem his bride (the church) and now the Father has given him the command to go and bring her home! 

This is an event that has been planned since the foundation of the world.  It has never occurred in the past and will never be repeated.  It is a day when the Judge of all things will return to the earth and display his power over death by resurrecting all those who placed their faith in him.  It is a day like no other!  

One thing needs to be made clear:  The voice of the archangel does NOT summon the dead back to life.  That is done by Jesus himself:

John 5:25, 28-29 – Truly, truly, I [Jesus] say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live…. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.  

So what role does the voice of this angel play?  His voice will certainly be part of the multitude crying out as Christ descends from heaven.  In addition, many scholars believe that once Christ gives the command for the living and the dead to appear before him, that command will be heralded or announced throughout the earth by this angel. 

The command to rise from the dead and appear before Christ will be confirmed/accompanied by the sounding of a trumpet. 

With the sound of the trumpet of God:  First, we need to clarify that God is not sounding the trumpet himself.  Rather, he has appointed that a trumpet shall be sounded on this great and solemn occasion.  That is why it is called the trumpet of God. 

Under the law, Israel sounded the trumpet for a number of different reasons such as going to battle or moving their camp.  The sounding of the trumpet was also used to call God’s people to their solemn assemblies (Numbers 10:2, Leviticus 23:24, Joel 2:15, etc).

One such example was when the law was given to Israel (Exodus 19:1-25).  On that solemn occasion, the entire nation was called to Mount Sinai with numerous blasts of trumpets.  Scripture says these blasts became louder and louder until the Lord came down to the top of the mountain. 

Many bible commentators see a parallel with the resurrection – once again, a trumpet blast will be used to summon God’s people into his presence during the solemn and majestic resurrection event.   

But God’s people don’t come to the assembly/celebration randomly.  God has a set order – the dead first, followed by those who are alive at his return.  

The dead in Christ will rise first:  As Paul said earlier, the dead in Christ will actually rise before those who are alive at the return of our Lord and Savior. 

They will rise with the same bodies they possessed on earth, and then instantaneously, their bodies will be changed/glorified and reunited with their spirits.

I Corinthians 15:51-52 – Behold!  I tell you a mystery.  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 

This makes perfect sense.  The bodies we have now have been corrupted with sin.  Consequently, they are subject to sickness, decay, etc.  They cannot serve us in the heavenly realm, so God gives us new bodies that are appropriate for our roles in eternity.   

I Thessalonians 4:17 – Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Next (after the dead are raised and changed), the living saints be called into the air where they will undergo the same metamorphosis.  

Caught up in the air:  When Christ returns to resurrect the dead and take his bride to heaven, he will not step foot on the earth.  He will remain/hover in the air (somewhere within earth’s atmosphere) and from there he will give the command for the dead to rise and meet him.

[Just to clarify, Jesus will indeed step foot on earth again (Zechariah 14:4), where he will rule for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-7), but that will be a later time.]   

Paul tells us that the living will be ‘caught up’ in the clouds.  The word ‘caught’ denotes suddenness – one moment believers will be going about their mundane daily activities and the next they will find themselves in the physical presence of Jesus!  Wow!  That’s a moment to look forward to!    

The phrase ‘caught up’ also indicates that the saints will not rise by their own power; it will be an external force which accomplishes this.  It may be done through the ministry of angels or by the direct power of Jesus.

In the clouds:  When the saints are ‘caught up’ into the sky, they are described as being ‘in the clouds’.  Not surprisingly, there are differing viewpoints on the exact meaning of this phrase.

The first says that the clouds are actual clouds.  In this case, it means the redeemed will be caught up to meet Jesus in the region of the clouds, or that the clouds will serve as chariots which transport the redeemed to Christ (Psalms 104:3). 

Those who hold this view point out that clouds carried Jesus up to heaven (or rather Jesus, who is the master of all things, rode the clouds under his own power) and clouds will also be present upon his return:

Mark 13:26 – And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.

(See also Matthew 24:30, Daniel 7:13, Revelation 1:7, etc).  

Another scenario says that ‘clouds’ refers to the innumerable number of people who have been resurrected and are in the sky with Christ.  They believe that, rather than being in one enormous bunch, the saints will be gathered into multiple groups which resemble ‘clouds’ of people especially to those on the ground.

Those who hold this view point out that the literal translation from the Greek is ‘in clouds’ not ‘in THE clouds’. 

Again, we see that the saints are meeting the Lord in the air which indicates he will not physically touch the ground, but will remain in the air at a distance from the planet as he gathers us together and takes us home. 

Some scholars believe that the judgment of mankind will also occur in the air, because the earth will not be large enough to contain all of the people who have ever existed. 

We will always be with the Lord:  Once the saints rise up and are changed, we will never again be separated from the Lord!  Our old sinful flesh will be gone; we will be clothed with new, glorious bodies which cannot be touched by sin, disease or death.  Our new bodies will be fit for eternity in the presence of God!   

In conclusion, we can say that Paul has confirmed that there will, in fact, be a resurrection.  He also confirms that there will be absolutely no disparity between the dead and the living when the resurrection occurs.   

It should also be noted that Paul does not discuss details of the resurrection of the wicked, the judgment, the millennial reign of Christ, or any other end-time events because they were not pertinent to the topic at hand – the resurrection.   

I Thessalonians 4:18 – Therefore encourage one another with these words.

In this case, encourage is synonymous with comfort. 

At some point, everyone will lose a friend or loved one to death.  Unlike sinners, the grief of the Christian is mitigated by the knowledge that death is not the end; it is merely a period of separation. 

At some point, we will also die and be reunited with our loved one, or Christ will return and we will be reunited on that occasion.  In either case, our relationships will resume in heaven where they will never be broken again. 

Let me offer you some encouragement and some relief:

If we aren’t careful, the daily grind of life can take a toll on our joy, our patience and on our overall outlook on life.  Sometimes our circumstances can be overwhelming and we feel discouraged or hopeless. 

But God has given us a remedy for these afflictions of the mind and heart – we are to focus our thoughts on his goodness and blessings:

Philippians 4:8 – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

The truth of the resurrection is one of the topics we can turn to for encouragement. 

Whatever challenges we face in this life, they will end.  We are not bound by them forever.  At some point, we will finish our race on earth and God will call us home. 

So don’t let the enemy overwhelm you or discourage you.  Leave your past mistakes behind.  Face today with the knowledge that God is with you, that he has equipped you to be victorious, and that one day he will personally come to get you (John 14:1-4)!     

In other words, give yourself encouragement and relief by meditating on the doctrine of the resurrection:

• Imagine the cry of the hosts of heaven and the sounding of the trumpet as Christ descends in glory. 
• Picture seeing him for the first time, as he descends in the clouds. 
• Imagine being miraculously ‘caught up’ into the air with other believers. 
• Try to wrap your mind around the fact that heaven is real, and you are on your way there!    

Let me offer you some strength:

A wise person I know says that sorrow/grief is the price you pay for loving someone, and they are correct – the more you love someone, the greater the sorrow you will experience when they die.   

It hurts to be separated from someone you love.  There is no way around that; there is no magic cure to make your pain disappear. 

For this reason, we view death as a bad thing.  But did you know that God sees death differently?

Psalms 116:15 – Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Wow!  Meditate on that mind-blowing statement for a while, and then cast your mind back to the Garden of Eden. 

When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, he was in a face-to-face relationship with them.  He visited them in the evenings (Genesis 3:8-9).  But after the fall, we were cut off from this relationship.  Sin separated us from God.

Therefore, in his great mercy, God locked us out of the garden so that we couldn’t eat from the Tree of Life and be forever separated from him in our sinful state (Genesis 3:22-24).

As astonishing as it may sound, death is actually a gift from the Father, because it allows our spirits and souls to be freed from our flesh, which has been corrupted with sin.  Without death, we could not receive a glorified body and be reunited with God in face-to-face fellowship. 

Now we can understand why God considers the death of a Christian to be something of great value – death is the conduit or path which takes us back to him!

The next time you are mourning a loved one who has gone on to heaven, take comfort and strength in knowing that his or her death was a gift from God. 

Here is something else to consider:  When you give someone a gift, it is common for you to be present when they open it, so you can see their reaction.  I believe the same thing is true of God. 

In other words, I don’t think anyone dies alone.  Regardless of the circumstances, God was present when the gift of death was received and opened by your loved one.  He, or one of his angelic messengers, was right there to guide your loved one into his presence, where they are currently rejoicing – without pain, without sickness, without depression, without any of the cares or burdens of this life.   

I strongly suspect that when you see them again, they will tell you death was one of the best gifts they ever received!  

I hope you can strengthen yourself with the knowledge that, for the Christian, the pain of separation we experience by death is only temporary.  You WILL be reunited with your loved one when Christ returns! 

 

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I Thessalonians 4:13 – But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

In I Thessalonians 3:10, Paul declares that he wanted to pay another visit to Thessalonica in order to ‘supply what was lacking in their faith’.  Based on the text in the remainder of this chapter, doctrines relating to physical death and resurrection may well have fallen under this category.  The churches of Paul’s day no doubt benefitted from this teaching.  Thankfully, Holy Spirit preserved this information as a resource for us as well. 

Let’s take a look at what Paul had to say about this important topic.  

To begin with, Paul talks about people who are ‘asleep’.  In scripture, sleep is often used as a euphemism for death. 

For example, when Stephen was being martyred for his faith (by stoning), scripture describes his death this way:

Acts 7:60 – And falling to his knees he [Stephen] cried out with a loud voice, “Lord do not hold this sin against them.”  And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Another example is found in John chapter 11, where Jesus has been informed that his friend Lazarus is sick.  Instead of going to see him immediately, he waits a couple of days.  Then he tells his disciples that “Lazarus has fallen asleep” (verse 11).  The disciples think this is a good thing until Jesus plainly tells them Lazarus is dead:

John 11:13-14 – Now Jesus had spoken of his [Lazarus] death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.  Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died…”. 

(See also I Corinthians 11:30, Deuteronomy 31:16, Luke 8:52-53, etc).  There are two main reasons for the comparison between death and sleep. 

First, there is a physical resemblance between those who are dead and those who are asleep.  Both are still, both are unaware of what is happening around them, both have their eyes closed, etc.  Second, physical death (like sleep) is only a temporary state because at some point God is going to resurrect every human being from physical death (more on this later). 

So, we know that when Paul spoke about ‘falling asleep’ he was referring to death. 

The next thing we want to examine is the implication that the Thessalonian believers were grieving for the dead like ‘others who have no hope’.   Who are the people who have no hope?  Why don’t they have any hope?

Those without hope are the ‘heathen’ or anyone who is an unbeliever (someone who does not know Christ).  The heathen experienced extreme sorrow when someone died because they had no hope of a life beyond this earth.  Once their loved ones died and were buried, it was if they ceased to exist.  They had no evidence or assurance that their bodies would be resurrected or that their souls and spirits would continue to exist. 

Worse yet, if they did believe in an afterlife, they had no way of knowing if their loved ones were happy or in a perpetual state of torment. 

More specifically we can say that unbelievers had no hope beyond this life because:

• They had no way to atone for their sin or reconcile themselves to God, the Creator of the universe. 
• They had no knowledge of a Savior and thus no assurance/guarantee of pardon resulting in eternal life. 
• They lived in a state of darkness and condemnation with no possibility of deliverance.

Because the heathen/unbelievers were hopeless, they indulged in exaggerated or excessive expressions of grief when one of their friends or loved ones died.  It was common for them to hire people to loudly mourn and wail.  They beat their chests, uttered loud piercing shrieks, cut their flesh/bled everywhere, and engaged in other self-destructive behaviors like tearing out their hair.  They also ripped their clothes, fasted, cast dust upon their heads and sat in ashes. 

In short, they made huge spectacles of themselves and their sorrow.  From their perspective, this was appropriate behavior because they believed their loved ones were gone forever.  

Here is why this is all so important:  The majority of the believers in the church of Thessalonica were Gentiles – former heathens!  They viewed these exaggerated expressions of sorrow as normal behavior, so they continued to grieve the death of their loved ones in this manner, even after receiving the gospel.

Worse yet, their ignorance of the truth combined with their old heathen traditions caused them to adopt a false doctrine of death and resurrection. 

Based on the writings of Paul to both the Thessalonians and the Corinthians, scholars surmise that the false beliefs held by the Gentiles within the Thessalonian church centered around two main points. 

One – There were some members of the church who erroneously believed that there was no resurrection.  They believed that only those who were alive at the return of the Lord would be taken to heaven to enjoy everlasting life with God. 

Obviously, this caused them a great amount of sorrow, because they wanted their departed friends and loved ones to enjoy all the benefits available to Christians.  They were also sad for themselves because they would be deprived of the fellowship of these dear people in eternity. 

Plus, there was the added stress of knowing that they too could miss out on the unimaginable blessings of God if they somehow died before Christ returned.  Thus, this false doctrine drained them of hope, joy and peace while adding a lot of stress to their lives.

Two – There was also an erroneous doctrine circulating which said that there was indeed going to be a resurrection of the saints, however, it would be a long, long, LONG time after the living Christians had been admitted to heaven. 

Thus, believers who were dead when Christ returned would somehow be deprived of advantages/blessings which would immediately be given to Christians who were alive at the return of the Lord.  Consequently, those who died before the return of the Lord would live in an eternal condition that was inferior to those who went to heaven first, resulting in “unfair” treatment in heaven.

It seems strange to us that these ridiculous beliefs could have taken root in the lives of the church.  But keep the following in mind:

• The Thessalonian church was made up of a large number of Gentiles who, until quite recently, were former heathens.  Understandably, they were influenced by some of the former doctrines they held when they were serving idols and false gods.

• Paul and his team only ministered at Thessalonica for a few years.  In that short amount of time, these new believers had to absorb a huge amount of new information.  It isn’t surprising that they didn’t immediately grasp it all.  Indeed, some modern day Christians have been believers for decades and still don’t know some of the basic tenents of the faith!

• Today, we have the advantage of being able to read and study the New Testament along with innumerable religious books published on any (and every) topic you can think of.  The believers back in Paul’s day did not have these resources; they had nothing to refer back to when these false doctrines began to spread.

• The believers back in that day were surrounded by false religions and heathen philosophers who did not believe in resurrection.  These philosophers were no doubt adept at pointing out objections to the doctrine of resurrection and ‘proving’ (by their own limited logic) that it couldn’t possibly be true.   It is likely that the Christians did not have the ability to refute their reasoning, which left them perplexed and full of questions.

We can conclude that it wasn’t surprising to have some degree of confusion about this topic within the church.

In light of these circumstances, it was important for Paul to write down the exact truth regarding death and resurrection so that believers would no longer be ‘uninformed’.

So here is the truth:  While Christians still experience sorrow at the death of their friends and family, their grief is mitigated by the knowledge that there is both a resurrection and an afterlife.

We know this because of the biblical principle of the first fruits:  The first portion of anything (crops, children, animals, money, etc) belongs to God.  The first fruits are brought to him as an acknowledgement that he is the one who provided the blessing.  They are also a token of thankfulness.  Honoring God with first fruits puts his blessing on your future harvests (Exodus 23:16, II Chronicles 31:5, Nehemiah 10:35-37, etc).

Scripture also tells us that when Jesus rose from the dead, he became the first fruits of the resurrection; he destroyed the power of death.  His resurrection was an earnest or guarantee that we too will be raised from death at God’s appointed time. 

I Corinthians 15:20, 23 – But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…  But each in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 

(See the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15).  Thus, the Christian can expect to see their believing friends and family members again one day.  Furthermore they can rejoice and be comforted in the knowledge that their loved one is in glory, free from pain, sickness or the cares of this world. 

In light of this, it is easy to understand that Christians are NOT subject to the utter hopelessness of death experienced by the heathen/sinners.  In fact, the opposite is true:

• Jesus atoned for our sin, became our Mediator, and reconciled us to the Father. 
• We have a personal relationship with our Savior; Holy Spirit has been given to us as a guarantee of our pardon and future life with Christ in eternity.   
• Christians can be joyful regardless of our circumstances, because we live in the light of Christ who has delivered us from death and given us new life.
• Jesus is the first fruits of resurrection.  Because he rose and defeated death, we too will be resurrected from physical death one day.  

It is important to note that ordinary sorrow at the death of a loved one is not condemned by Paul.  (Indeed, Jesus himself wept at the grave of Lazarus.)  However, Paul is instructing the Thessalonians to moderate their grief and sorrow for those who have died because excessive grief represents a pagan point of view.  Christians do not sorrow like the pagans, because they have a hope of resurrection from the grave as well as a future state of immortality. 

If the Thessalonians continue to excessively grieve, they will be presenting a false picture of Christianity to the unbelievers in their community.  They will miss opportunities to share the gospel with those who are hurting.  

I Thessalonians 4:14 – For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

Obviously, every Christian truly believes that Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day.  These are fundamental articles of our faith; nothing is more certain and more firmly believed.  Indeed, his atoning sacrifice and resurrection are the bedrocks of Christianity.  They are the basis of our peace, consolation, salvation and joy.  Without these concepts, there would be no Christianity!

We can be just as sure that those who have fallen asleep (died) in relationship with Jesus will also be brought back or awakened from sleep (resurrected from death) by Jesus when he comes. 

But don’t take my word for it - this is what the bible says:

1. Romans 4:24-25 tells us that Christ rose for our justification:

Romans 4:24-25 - …Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

When we are justified, sin (which is what brings death) is pardoned/removed.  Because sin is gone, there is nothing to keep us under the dominion of death and therefore we know that we are/will be raised from the dead through justification by Christ.

2. Ephesians 1:18-23 speaks of the immeasurable greatness of God’s power toward us, which was evident when Christ was raised from the dead and given all rule, power, authority and dominion.  Everything has been placed under his feet.  

Ephesians 1:22-23 – And he [God] put all things under his [Jesus] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Notice that Jesus did not rise as merely an individual.  He rose as Head of the church.  Since the church is joined to him (as the head is joined to the body), we too will be resurrected just as he was. 

3. Romans 8:29 says that God has predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son:

Romans 8:29 – For those whom he [God] foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.       

Therefore, if Jesus has been raised from the dead, we also will be raised because we are destined to be conformed to his image.

We could go on and on, but I think you get the point:  Because Christ rose from the dead, we will also be raised.  There is no doubt about it!

Let me offer you some encouragement:

The believers of Thessalonica suffered stress, confusion, hurt and hopelessness because they did not have a true understanding of the Christian doctrines of death and resurrection.  Thankfully, all of that misery disappeared when they became knowledgeable about the truth.

You too will suffer needlessly if you are ignorant of God’s ways, precepts, laws and provisions.  For this reason, I strongly encourage you to be in God’s word!   

Psalms 119:10 – The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple.  

The ignorance of the Thessalonians could be partially justified because they had a lack of direct teaching and/or resources on the subject of death and resurrection.  However, that is not the case for today’s saints! 

Today, we have books, videos, podcasts, classes, blogs (like this one), and any number of other sources to turn to for solid biblical teaching.  It is up to each one of us to dig into these resources and train ourselves in righteousness. 

So what are you waiting for?  Find the answers you need today!

Let me offer you some relief:   

In today’s post, Paul instructed Christians not to excessively grieve when one of our loved ones dies. 

There is no doubt that we will feel these losses just as sharply and deeply as unbelievers.  But in the midst of our sorrow, God gives us hope.  Though separated now, we know that the righteous will one day be reunited.  At that time, our bonds of love and companionship will be made even stronger - and they will never be broken again!

We also rejoice knowing that those who have gone on before us are no longer experiencing sickness, brokenness, lack or sin.  They are in the presence of God, and in his presence, everything is perfect. 

Let me offer you some strength:

Is it possible that you have recently lost someone dear to you?  If you are a child of God (a Christian), then you should know that there is hope!  Those who die in a relationship with Christ are assured of rising from the dead and joining him in the heavenly realms. 

If you are not at peace with God – if you have never had a relationship with him or if you have walked away from him for any reason - I would like to give you a chance to be in a relationship with Christ right now.  Just pray the following prayer:

 

Dear Jesus,

I confess to you that I am a sinner.  I am sorry for all the wrong things I have done and I ask you to forgive me.  I believe that you are the Son of God, that you died on the cross and rose again, and that your blood paid the price for my sin.  I invite you to come into my heart and life and to be my Lord and Savior.  I commit myself to you right now.  Thank you for saving me from death and giving me the gift of eternal life.  Amen.

If you prayed this prayer and sincerely meant it, then you have received the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ! 

 

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I Thessalonians 4:9 – Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

Paul is giving some practical advice to the Christians of Thessalonica under the umbrella of sanctification and personal holiness.  In our prior post, he touched on sexual immorality, lust of the flesh and transgression/wrong doing towards others.

He now goes on to discuss another aspect of sanctification - brotherly love, or love among Christians.  This type of love is distinct from both our love for God (though it springs from it) and our love for mankind in general. 

In a normal physical family, there is a sincere affection and heartfelt love between siblings who are being raised in the same household, with the same parents, living in the midst of the same difficulties and celebrations.  These shared experiences make the bonds between them even stronger.

Likewise, there should be a natural affection and heartfelt love between Christians, because we are all children of the same Father which makes us members of the same family.   Scripture refers to the church as the ‘household of faith’ (Galatians 6:10).  We share the same grace and have the same promises of eternal life.  We walk through similar trials and celebrate victories with each other, which creates strong bonds of love between us.    

In this case, Paul concedes that no further instructions are needed on this topic, because the Thessalonians had already been ‘taught by God’ to love each other.  In other words, Holy Spirit had already written the law of love upon their hearts.  That inward change was giving the Thessalonian believers an intense, godly affection for one another which was clearly manifesting itself among the members of the church.   

I Thessalonians 4:10 - …for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia.  But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

The Thessalonian church had obviously achieved a level of brotherly love amongst themselves and with other Christians in the region of Macedonia.

How interesting!  Many churches today have a strong sense of brotherly love within their own body, but what about affection towards other churches?  Too often we judge other churches or denominations for the way they worship or the way they dress or how they interact with Holy Spirit.  This promotes disdain among the worldwide body of Christ. 

Instead, why don’t we commit to following the example of the Thessalonians – let’s extend the hand of Christian fellowship to churches throughout our regions.  Let’s work together!  If we could overlook our minor differences and join together to promote the gospel, what could God accomplish through us?  

Now, stop and ask yourself this question:  How did Paul know that the Christians of that city were practicing brotherly love?  Was it simply an internal feeling or were there outward signs which confirmed its existence?

In truth, it was probably both.  Because the love of God lives in the heart of every Christian through the power of Holy Spirit, we all have internal feelings of love and compassion for our fellow believers. But expressing those feelings with mere words is simply not enough.  The love and compassion we feel for our spiritual siblings must be shown in practical ways.

For example:

• We can share in their grief and/or joy. 
• We can offer wise counsel and advice. 
• We can forgive and overlook faults. 
• We can stir them up to do good works. 
• We can encourage and build them up in the faith. 
• We can pray for them and with them. 
• We can minister to them financially. 
• We can visit them when they are sick or send them a meal. 
• We can help bear their burdens by sitting with an elderly parent or giving them a ride to the doctor. 

The opportunities to express brotherly love are almost infinite.  You will recognize your opportunity when you see it!

Even though the believers in Thessalonica had achieved some level of brotherly love, Paul encourages them to ‘abound more and more’.  It is uncertain whether he meant that their brotherly love should be extended further than the borders of Macedonia, or whether he was referring to the degree of love they expressed to others.  However, in either case, Paul was telling them that they had not yet arrived at perfection.  No matter how much brotherly love they had, there was still room for more.

I Thessalonians 4:11 - …and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

In this verse, Paul is clearly giving instructions to correct a problem that existed in the Thessalonian church.  Although the issue is never clearly stated, we can make some accurate assumptions about it.  Here’s what we know:

The Thessalonian converts were mostly working-class people.  They were not rich; they needed to work in order to live.  The problem is that they believed the return of Christ was imminent; it could happen any day.  Some of the believers got so excited, they acted rashly.  They began to neglect their daily work and/or quit their jobs. 

But when Christ did not return as soon as they expected, they had a problem on their hands – they had no way to support themselves.  They began to depend on ‘hand outs’ from others in order to survive.  They no doubt figured this would be a temporary situation, but as we know, it was not – Christ did not return in their lifetime.  

Furthermore, the actions of the adult members of the church had a ‘trickle down’ effect upon the younger people – if the adults weren’t working, why should they?  While some of the able-bodied young men may also have been looking for the return of Christ, there were others who were simply lazy and refused to work. 

These people lived off the charity of others.  The donations of the richer members of the church were being abused – they were misappropriated to those who could and should be earning their own living.  These people became a burden on the church and on society.

But that wasn’t all.  Their idleness had another unexpected consequence - it led them into sin:

II Thessalonians 3:11 – For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.    

Those who were not working had too much time on their hands and they spent it engaging in frivolous activities, gossiping, starting/spreading rumors, causing divisions among families, stirring up trouble, sowing seeds of discontent, fear, etc.  Overall, they were causing ‘drama’ among the family of God.

Left unchecked, these actions would (sooner rather than later) have caused divisions among the church.  As you well know, it is imperative that the church be united in Christ; otherwise, she will not be able to stand against the enemy when he attacks:

Mark 3:25 – And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

Furthermore, actions that cause disunity in the church spread to other areas of life.  For example, Christians are not only members of the church, they are also citizens in their respective neighborhoods.  The kind of tranquil, industrious living that Paul speaks of promotes trust and peace within neighborhoods, which in turn leads to peaceful communities, towns and cities.

In short, God knew what he was doing when he created people to work.

Genesis 2:15 – The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

In order to live our best lives, all of us need to be actively engaged in meaningful labor of some kind.  For example, students should be about the business of actively studying and learning.  Those who manage the home should do so with diligence, while those who work outside the home should be focused on their job performance. 

Presumably, as people take care of their own responsibilities in life, they will not have large chunks of idle time in which to cause trouble by sticking their nose into everyone else’s business. 

This is why Paul commands everyone in the church to be involved in some kind of useful labor.  Paul himself gave Christians an example to follow when he supported himself by working as a tent maker while preaching the gospel.

Now obviously, everyone needs time for rest and relaxation.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying hobbies, social events or other activities.  But if you have so much free time that you can cause strife or contention among the people of the church, you have a problem.  In fact, you ARE a problem!  

One further point needs to be made here:  Those who do not work for a living (retired, disabled, etc) are still required to ‘work’ for the kingdom of heaven.  God has given each one of us talents which we are to steward for his kingdom.  Keep in mind that he will eventually require an accounting from us of the ways in which we used our time, talents and resources (Matthew 25:19, 30). 

I Thessalonians 4:12 - …so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

When Christians are walking in brotherly love and living in such a way that promotes peace among the church, they are a strong, unified force that presents a testimony of Christ to the community. 

In this verse Paul gives us two important reasons why Christians should work/support themselves and live quiet exemplary lives. 

The first reason is so that we can ‘walk properly’ (your translation may say ‘walk honestly’) before outsiders – unbelievers/those who are outside the church.

In this case, ‘properly’ or ‘honestly’ does not simply refer to the transaction of business.  It includes the practice of our own personal holiness (see our two prior posts for details) and it encompasses the whole of our treatment to those who are unbelievers.  Paul constantly reminds Christians to be very cognizant of how we treat sinners:

Romans 13:13 – Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.

Colossians 4:5 – Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best us of the time.

For example, Christians should be faithful to their word.  If you promise to do something, do it.  If you enter into a contract, keep your side of the bargain. 

Christians should be kind and courteous in our interactions, giving respect where it is due.  When you are working, show up on time.  Be positive.  Be prepared.  Shower encouragement on your coworkers, clients and vendors.  This includes casual encounters like interacting with the folks at the grocery store or the hardware store. 

It is important that we are honest and upright in all our actions, because we reflect Christ to the world.  

The second reason we should work/support ourselves and live quite lives is so that we lack nothing; by being diligent in our work we can support ourselves.  

Again, there will always be Christians who are unable to work for a variety of legitimate reasons (health issues, age, etc).  However, Christians who expect others to take care of them because of their own bad habits, extravagance or laziness are a poor reflection on Christ.  Those who can work should do so, so that they can bless and assist those who are in genuine need.  Christians are to be a blessing to the world, not a burden to it.

Acts 20:35 – In all things I have showed you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than receive.’

The overall meaning of this passage is that by minding our own business and concentrating on our own affairs, we will attain a high degree of competency in our chosen fields.  We can then be assured of receiving all that God has seen fit to give us –besides our income, we will experience satisfaction and fulfillment, while being a blessing to the world around us and providing an excellent witness for those who do not know Christ.

Let me offer you some encouragement:

In today’s post, we noted that Christians should be honest and upright in all our actions, because we reflect Christ to the world.  Let’s take a few minutes to consider that. 

What kind of a reflection are we?

My guess is that all of us have areas in which we are excellent examples, as well as areas where we need to improve.  I encourage you to pick an area (or two) and try to be a better reflection of our loving, gracious Lord.  Who knows?  Your improvement may open a door to share the gospel with someone!

Let me offer you some relief and some strength:

Brotherly love is one of the most incredible gifts our Father has given to the church. 

At one time or another, all of us will experience a loss, a heartache, a disappointment, a disaster, or an attack of the enemy.  During these times, Christ ministers to us in practical ways through our spiritual brothers and sisters.  

I can testify from personal experience that when you face these times in your life, it is the love, support and prayers of the saints that get you through!  

This week, consider some of the ways in which your brothers and sisters have ministered to you, or ways in which you were able to minister to others.  Be comforted, knowing that you are part of a family who loves you and who is there for you. 

And don’t forget to give thanks to the Lord for your spiritual family!

 

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I Thessalonians 4:3 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

In our last post, we noted a transition in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church.  He is finished with doctrinal clarification and he now moves on to discuss the way we live these doctrines out in our daily lives.

Specifically, he focuses on the sanctification of believers.  Paul makes it clear that personal holiness/sanctification is not optional – it is a command of the Father, delivered to believers by the power of Holy Spirit (through the apostles), and backed by the authority of Jesus. 

Therefore, God’s commands for holy living are to be received and obeyed, knowing that personal sanctification will result in our good and his glory.  (See our prior post for full details.)  Those who refuse to obey are walking in rebellion to the will of God.

Last week we took a general look at the process of sanctification and personal holiness.  This week we will look at a couple of specific areas of holiness that Paul brings to the remembrance of the church.

The first is abstaining from sexual immorality and/or lust of the flesh.

There are obviously a huge number of areas in life where we need to practice personal holiness.  Out of that large number, why do you think Paul specifically mentions sexual sins? 

Well, let’s begin to answer that question by reviewing what we already know:

The Thessalonian church was largely made up of Gentiles.  Gentiles themselves were not void of religion.  In fact, many of them were extremely religious.  The issue was that they practiced false religion(s). 

The very gods they worshiped and served were immoral.  The sacrifices and outward rites they required frequently led to impurity and gross sexual sins.  For example, it was common for false gods/idols to have temples with cult prostitutes (both men and women).  It was also common for the worship of these idols to include big festivals in spring and fall to mark the seasons of sowing and reaping.  These festivals included eating, drunkenness and orgies, where ‘anything goes’.

Bible commentators tell us that the only type of sexual activity that was discouraged by the heathen Gentiles was incest.  So, they essentially grew up with a cultural approval of any and all sexual practices.  In other words, all forms of sexual activity were considered normal, acceptable behavior.  The end result is that the Gentile believers were likely to have an attitude of extreme indifference to sexual sins as defined under Christianity. 

To make things more difficult, they were living in a city that was very worldly.  Thessalonica was a crossroads for different cultures and people.  Each of them had their own immoral standards and practices, which were endorsed or at least tolerated by public opinion.  Plus, the city was a shipping and trading hub.  Money was flowing 24/7 and sex was probably available during the same hours, much as it is today in major cities.

It isn’t difficult to see that the Christians of the city were constantly bombarded with opportunities to engage in sexual immorality.  Indeed, it is entirely possible that they were mocked for not doing so!  Thus, we can understand why Paul felt the need to remind them to be sexually pure by the standards of the gospel.

This brings up some pertinent questions:

• What is God’s definition of sexual purity?

Sexual purity is sex or sexual relations between a man and woman who are in a marriage covenant with each other (I Corinthians 7:1-5).  That’s it.  Period.

Hebrews 13:4 – Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

• How can we define sexual immorality? 

Simply put, sexual relations within any other context (outside a marriage covenant between one man and one woman) are considered sexual immorality.

This is a list of the most common sexual sins:

Fornication – Sexual intercourse/activity on the part of an unmarried person. 

Adultery – Sexual intercourse/activity by a married man with someone other than his wife or vice versa.  This is often referred to as unfaithfulness.

Polygamy – Having multiple wives (or husbands) at the same time.

Rape – Sexual connection/activity with another person without their consent.

Incest – Sexual relations between closely related persons (usually first cousins or closer).

Homosexuality/Lesbianism – Sexual relations with a person of the same sex.

Bestiality – Sex with animals.

Prostitution - Offering/selling sexual favors without discrimination; promiscuity.

Sexual immorality or ‘porneia’ - Numerous sexual sins including pornography (I Corinthians 6:13, Ephesians 5:3, etc)

Lust – Lascivious cravings, sexual encounters of the mind/imagination; strong sexual appetites.  

Although there are other forms of sexual immorality, these are the major ones.

• Why is sexual purity such a big deal?

What an excellent question!

One reason is that in the covenant of marriage, God joins the man and woman together, making them ‘one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:8-9).   Their union is consummated with sex, which is an act of physical intimacy that has a unifying power in it – it joins them together for life physically and emotionally (Malachi 2:14-15, Matthew 19:6). 

Sex is a wonderful gift given to a husband and wife to make their relationship unique and exclusive among all other relationships. Therefore, sex should be reserved for two people who are in an exclusive, lifetime covenant relationship (I Corinthians 6:16).

God uses the marriage covenant to create a new entity – the family.  Within that context, sexual intercourse is the means by which he propagates new life.  He intends for children to be nurtured and grown under the umbrella of the family unit.  He desires for us to raise righteous sons and daughters in this environment. 

Sexual purity is also important for another reason - sexual sin destroys the picture of the unbreakable covenant that God has with his people.  You are no doubt aware that the bible uses marriage as a metaphor to describe the covenant relationship that Jesus has with us.  In scripture, the church is often referred to as his ‘bride’, whom he bought with his own blood.

Revelation 21:9 – Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

(See also II Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:22-33, Revelation 19:7).  In the Old Testament, God often compared rebellious Israel to an unfaithful wife (Jeremiah 3:1-6, Ezekiel 6:9, the entire book of Hosea, etc).  He uses the act of sexual immorality (particularly adultery) to depict the worst possible sins.

A third reason to maintain sexual purity is that sexual sin defiles more than just your physical body.  It has spiritual significance:

I Corinthians 6:18-19 – Flee from sexual immorality: Every other sin a person commits is outside of the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? 

Our bodies are temples for the Spirit of God.  Therefore, engaging in sexual impurity brings sinful thoughts and actions into his holy presence.  This is not only disgusting, it is an insult his divine majesty.  To claim the title of son or daughter of God and then engage in such activity is like slapping the face of God.

Furthermore, if we persist in gross disobedience, ignoring the voice of Holy Spirit who calls us to sanctification, we will eventually make ourselves deaf to his cries.  By searing our consciences, we will silence his voice and quench his influence in our lives.  What will become of us then?

Sexual sins corrupt the mind, captivate the heart, consume the flesh, cause shame, waste finances, destroy relationships, and exclude the kingdom of heaven from your life, leaving you in complete bondage and on the path of death.  God forbids sexual sin for our own good!  

Clearly, sexual sin is a big problem.  It’s like a horrible monster which lurks around every corner, looking for any opportunity to fill us with impurity, so God will be banished from our hearts and minds.  As Paul points out in this verse, sexual immorality is directly opposed to God’s will, which is for us to be sanctified.

With all this in mind, it’s not hard to see why Satan goes out of his way to promote sexual sins and to destroy marriages.  Let’s not give him an open door into our lives through sex.  Let’s follow the advice of Paul, and abstain from all forms of sexual immorality.   

Now let’s switch gears for just a moment.  The word translated in our version as “sexual immorality” can also be translated as “lust of the flesh”.

This is a broader term which refers to anything that we crave or excessively desire.  Sexual immorality is certainly included under lust of the flesh, but so are other passions like greed, hatred, strife, murder, envy, etc (Galatians 5:19-21).  As Christians, we need to sanctify ourselves from these evils as well. 

I Thessalonians 4:4-5 - …that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor; not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

By default, the life of a sinner is full of degradation, disgrace and humiliation.  Sinners are trapped in this condition by the lust of the flesh. 

The Christian life, however, is designed to be full of honor and glory.  When God redeems us, he breaks the power of sin in our lives, but that doesn’t mean the battle is over.  We must exercise discipline and control over our own bodies on a daily basis. 

Here is a truth we sometimes want to avoid: Your body is under your command and control; it can do nothing of itself.  It will do whatever you command it to do, until it is separated from your spirit.  In other words, you are in control of your actions.

There is an old phrase that goes something like this: ‘The devil made me do it.’  That is not a true statement. (It’s not a good excuse either.)  The devil may have tempted you to do something wrong, but you were the one who ordered your body to do it!

Paul commands believers to sanctify themselves and to practice self-control.  Instead of allowing our passions to rule us, we must use our bodies to glorify God and complete the work of his kingdom.

Romans 6:13 – Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

Here is something to consider: When the body is put to uses it was never intended for (sin in general and specifically in this case sexual sin), it will be destroyed.  Sometimes that happens instantly, sometimes it occurs slowly, but either way improper usage of the body results in it being broken, destroyed, debased or rendered unusable. 

The awesome thing is that when we trust in Christ as our Redeemer, Holy Spirit comes into our bodies to assist us in the process of sanctification, which in turn makes us eligible for the Master’s use (II Timothy 2:20-22).  See our last post for full details. 

I Thessalonians 4:6 - …that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

This matter – ‘This matter’ refers to the topic under discussion in verses 3-5, which is sanctification and/or holiness.  Paul now moves on from sexual sins to the subject of ‘transgressing and wronging’ another person.

Transgress – To transgress is to go beyond a boundary or limit; to violate a command, law or moral principle.  It implies an element of greed or avarice.  The idea is that because of lust, desire or greed for something (or someone), you go beyond the limits of what is right. 

For example, thieves normally desire or covet the possessions of others.  Because of their desire, they will transgress the law by robbing your house or stealing your car.

Wrong – To wrong someone is to defraud or cheat them.  This term also carries a connotation of oppression (the use of authority to treat others unfairly; to deny them opportunities or benefits that others enjoy).  We often describe it as taking advantage of someone. 

Regarding this matter, Paul is essentially telling Christians to treat our neighbors as ourselves.  He is generally saying that no Christian should attempt to deprive or defraud another person of their rights, including (but not limited to) their land, possessions, business interests, family, or opportunities in general.

In the case of the Thessalonians, it meant that sanctification/holiness would exhibit itself in the justice and equity of all their dealings with others, especially in business.  For example, they were not to use false weights/measures.  They were not to increase the price of goods based on the wealth of the buyer or dishonor a contract.  They were not to take advantage of the weak, desperate or ignorant.

To do so would be a grievous sin, because the gospel condemns dishonesty, theft, cheating and covetousness:

Colossians 3:5 –Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

These sins become especially heinous when one defrauds another Christian.

This is a good time for us to check our own dealings with others.  Are we dishonest in some of our interactions with others?  If so, we need to repent and make amends immediately, because the Lord sees us!

Because the Lord is an avenger in all these things – Paul reminds the Thessalonians that God will punish those who defraud another. The guilty person may or may not receive punishment from civil authorities, but God will surely see it and exact punishment for these sinful actions.  The text implies that this judgment will occur at the end of the age on the Day of Judgment, which that generation felt was imminent. 

As we told and warned you - This phrase refers back to verses 1-2, where it was clear that the Thessalonians had been systematically taught to live in holiness.

I Thessalonians 4:7 – For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Scripture tells us that God sets us apart as his peculiar possession, calling us to a life of holiness and good works:

Titus 2:14 - …who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Formerly the Thessalonians lived in iniquity and impurity.  But they were now called into life and communion with Christ, who loves righteousness and holiness.  They were to adhere to the precepts of the gospel, which deny ungodliness, worldly lusts and sin.

As Christians, they were to sanctify themselves in thoughts, words and actions.  They were to fulfill the particular callings which God had placed upon their lives, which can only be accomplished when they lived in a righteous and godly manner.   

This command was delivered time and time again to all of the churches under Paul’s guidance.  Just to reiterate one more time, impurity  refers not just to sexual immorality, but to all forms of uncleanness, corruption, lust, wickedness, etc. 

I Thessalonians 4:8 – Therefore, whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Disregards God - The apostles who ministered to the Thessalonians (particularly Paul), had the whole of the gospel revealed to them directly from God.  They were great fountains of both Christian knowledge/doctrine and practical living.  Therefore they were to be considered vessels of God and anyone who rejected their teaching was essentially rejecting God.

Luke 10:16 – The one who hears you hears me [Jesus], and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me [God the Father].

(See also Galatians 1:11-12).  More specifically, Paul is saying that any Christian who ignores the commands to live a holy life is actually disobeying God himself. 

Who gives us his Holy Spirit – Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they had received Holy Spirit into their lives when they were converted.  Holy Spirit would help them distinguish what proceeded from God and what didn’t.  Because of this, there should be no question that the command to sanctification was not from man but from God.

In addition, because the Thessalonians were vessels of Holy Spirit, it was only proper for them to exhibit/demonstrate the difference between holiness and impurity for the entire world to see.  Holy Spirit makes it possible for them to do exactly that, by aiding them in the process of sanctification. 

Holy Spirit is the Spirit of sanctification.  He is one behind the present, progressive work of sanctification which continues in the life of every believer until they die.

 Let me offer you some encouragement:

Many of the Christians alive today seem to be under the misconception that God ‘winks’ at sexual impurity.  Like the Thessalonians, they don’t consider sexual impurity to be a big deal.  They have convinced themselves that they have valid reasons to engage in sexual sin, and therefore their actions are justified.    

In reality, nothing could be further from the truth!  God hates sexual impurity just as much today as he did during the era of the Thessalonian church. 

Are you currently involved in some type of sexual immorality?  If so, you are actively engaging in rebellion against God and that isn’t going to end well for you.

Please understand that God loves you and he wants the best for you, but you won’t get to that place through sin.  Sin only brings bondage.  By contrast, there is freedom in Christ.  The first step to being free is to acknowledge your sin and repent.

Once that is complete, I encourage you to seek out your pastor for godly council and practical advice on how to proceed.  The sooner you do so, the better.

Let me offer you some relief and some strength:

All Christians are commanded to live lives that are sanctified to God.  This means we are set apart for his service; we are no longer our own, we are servants of the King.

As such, we should separate ourselves from anything and everything that is a ‘lust of the flesh’.  We should strive to become vessels of honor in God’s service, so that we can be used for good works that glorify his name.

Each of us must individually commit to living a sanctified life, however, we don’t have to rely solely on our own power.    

God has blessed us with the bible - a clear set of guidelines to follow in our walk with him.  By following these guidelines we can avoid the traps, snares and bondages that Satan has set up for us. 

Psalms 119:105 – Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

God has also given us his Spirit who dwells in us and empowers us for righteous living.   

By walking in his ways, we are able to avoid many of the heartaches and trials experienced by those who serve Satan.  If we do stumble or fall on occasion, we have the assurance that God forgives and cleanses us; he will free us from the traps of the enemy and once again set our feet on the solid rock, Christ Jesus.

As a committed servant of the Lord, we can look forward to victory and joy in this life and in the next!

 

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I Thessalonians 4:1 – Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Welcome back, readers! I’m so glad we can study the scriptures together today! I hope you find today’s post beneficial and encouraging.   

In the first part of his letter to the Thessalonians (chapters 1-3), Paul used discourse/logical reasoning to refute the lies and false doctrines that had been presented to the church by the unrepentant Jews and the Greeks.  

He ends that section of the letter with a prayer that the Thessalonians will be ‘established blameless in holiness at the coming of our Lord Jesus’.

Now he switches gears and begins to offer practical advice for daily Christian living.    

Finally – This is a word of transition which Paul often uses in his letters (Ephesians 6:10 Philippians 4:8, etc).  The literal translation is ‘as to what remains’ or ‘for the rest’.  It acts as a bridge connecting the two parts of this epistle.

The idea is that he has corrected any false beliefs or doubts that were plaguing the church because of the Jews and Greeks.  Now that they have a firm grasp on the sound doctrines of Christianity, they can move forward with confidence.  The only thing left to do is to put those doctrines into practice in their daily lives.

Ask and Urge - To ask is to make a polite or friendly request.  The implication is that the person being addressed will obey/grant the request because they understand it as being proper, suitable or appropriate under the circumstances.  In this case, Paul assumes that the Thessalonian believers will adhere to the moral laws of Christianity, because that would be the reasonable thing to do: 

Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

However, he not only asks, he urges them to do so.  ‘Urge’ is a stronger, more emphatic word.  It implies that the rules for holy living, which Paul is about to discuss, are not to be taken lightly.  They aren’t really optional.  They should be regarded as duties of great importance.  The Thessalonian Christians should strive to live by these rules in a serious, zealous, and determined manner. 

What about us?  Well, considering the fact that God chose us in him before the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34), that Christ redeemed us by his own blood (I Peter 1:18-19), that he made us new creatures (II Corinthians 5:17), that we profess to be his followers, and that we are to be conformed to his image (Romans 8:29, II Corinthians 3:18), we too should be diligent to obey God’s moral code. In light of the sacrifice of Christ, how can we do anything less? 

However, if you’re still not convinced, carefully consider the words of the apostle:

In the Lord Jesus – Paul’s insistence on obedience to the moral commands of scripture is based on nothing less than the name and authority of Jesus Christ.  Since there is no higher authority, there is no stronger reason to walk in holiness.

News flash - Jesus hasn’t changed in the last two thousand years (Malachi 3:6).  He still possesses all power and authority.  Therefore, the moral commands in scripture apply to us in the same way they applied to the Thessalonians – they aren’t to be taken lightly or cast aside on a whim.  They are not optional.  They are duties of profound importance and we should strive to live by them.  

You received from us how you ought to walk and please God – This indicates that the Thessalonians were systematically instructed in the moral code of the gospel.  In other words, they knew what God expected of them. 

So do you, if you’ve been a Christian for any length of time. 

Let’s be brutally honest for a moment – it is one thing to know what scripture teaches about living a holy life.  It’s a completely different thing to crucify our flesh and live by these commands (more on this in a moment).

 Obviously, none of us are perfect.  However, when we, to the best of our ability, adhere to the whole moral code of Christianity it is pleasing to God.    

But shockingly, there are many Christians today who pick and choose which moral laws to obey.  This has some very negative results:

• When one is in rebellion to the commands of God, it opens up a door for Satan to enter your life and bring heartache, chaos, destruction and death. 

 

• Those who choose to flagrantly disobey God’s commands bring dishonor to the name of the Savior they claim to serve.  They no longer have an effective witness to the world; they smother the fires of revival instead of fanning them. 

 

• God is a perfect and loving Father to his children.  Defiance of his commands and authority open you up to receiving his correction/chastisement (Hebrews 12:3-11).

Just as you are doing, that you do so more and more - Paul acknowledges that the Thessalonian believers were already walking in a holy manner.  The words and deeds of their daily lives were pleasing to God (I Thessalonians 1:2-3).  This was in contrast to the Jews, who did not please God (I Thessalonians 2:15).

Yet, Paul encourages them to not only continue, but to abound in grace and holiness by means of greater care and fidelity to the moral laws of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

As I am sure you know, none of us have achieved perfect holiness.  Therefore, we have more work to do.  The truth is that we will be working towards perfect holiness our entire lives. 

It is the duty of every Christian to continually strive to be holy as God is holy, and to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord. 

I Thessalonians 4:2 – For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

Paul makes it clear that his appeals for holy living were nothing new.  They are the same requirements/commands he set before them when they first accepted the gospel.  Although he does not list them for us, the Thessalonians certainly knew the commands Paul was referring to. 

Based on the sum of Paul’s writings to the churches, we can safely assume the list included all laws/ordinances relating to the gospel such as baptism, observance of the Lord’s supper, the worship and service of God, prayer, their conduct in the world, their behavior towards one another, and the practice of Christian graces such as faith, love, etc.  Paul’s instructions also included directives for holy living. 

Again, it is important to note that the instructions/duties Paul lays upon believers did not original with him; they came from God.  As such they should be regarded as the commands of the Father, dictated by Holy Spirit, and delivered by the authority of Jesus.  The commands for holy living should be implicitly received and obeyed.    

Those who refuse to submit to the will of God in areas of holiness are walking in rebellion.

I Thessalonians 4:3 – For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

Let’s start by discussing sanctification.

To sanctify is to make sacred or holy; to set apart for holy use; to consecrate, to make free from sin; to cleanse from moral corruption and pollution. 

There is no question that God has called his people to a life of sanctification/holiness; in fact, he requires it (I Peter 1:15-16).  Scripture tells us that without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). 

On a personal level, to be sanctified is to conform our natures to the nature of God and to conform our lives to his will.  That sounds like an impossible task, and indeed it is – if we are operating in our own power and strength.  But there is no need to worry.  Holy Spirit is here, and he is longing to be an active partner with you in the process of sanctification. He makes it possible for you to succeed.  Let me explain:

Sanctification is both internal and external. 

The internal part occurs first.  This portion of the process is completely done by the power of the Spirit.  Through the word, he brings divine spiritual light and understanding to your heart and mind, causing you to recognize your sin, which in turn causes you to feel conviction. 

He then brings a desire for your will to submit itself to the will of God and for your affections (feelings, desires, emotions) to conform to what is divine, pure and holy.  He provides the truth/instruction, the motivation and the power for you to perform the second step – external sanctification.

External sanctification arises from (and is powered by) internal sanctification.  It manifests itself in holy living.  This holiness is reflected in all that you do, all that you say and all that you think.  It is how the world recognizes you as a servant of Christ.

External sanctification is almost never instantaneous (sigh).  It takes conscious, consistent effort.  You must work at it.  You must practice it before it becomes second nature (and it will, just stick with it!).  You will experience failure, but that is okay.  God’s grace and mercy are at hand when you stumble.  The key is not to give up!  Eventually you will conform your conduct, speech and thoughts to those of the Father, Son and Spirit.  You WILL grow in holiness. 

And remember, you are not alone!  All Christians are engaged in the labor of sanctification.  All struggle, all fail, but through Holy Spirit all will eventually be victorious!

Now, let me offer you a word of caution: If you try to manufacture external sanctification first, you will be operating in your own power and you will ultimately fail.

Think about it… have you ever said to yourself, ‘I will NEVER do [blank] again, as long as I live’, but a week later there you are, doing that thing again!  All you are accomplishing is making yourself frustrated and angry.  

So remember - true, lasting change must take place in the heart first, before it manifests in your outward conduct.  Don’t get the steps out of order!  If you think there is an area of your life that needs to be sanctified, pray about it and ask Holy Spirit to assist you. 

There are some practical steps you can take to help prepare for your journey: 

Renew your mind with the scriptures.  Your actions are first conceived in your mind.  For example, a thought may enter your mind about taking a walk after dinner.  You then have a choice to make – to take the walk or to stay in the recliner.  Regardless of your decision, you had the thought before you took the action.

Because we all have fallen natures, our thinking is corrupt – we automatically tend to do the thing that gives us the most pleasure or comfort, even if it is destructive in the long run.  For this reason, our flesh desires to stay in the warm, comfy recliner (and eat junk food, but that’s another issue).

The good news is that we can combat our wrong thinking by training our minds to think in a new way.  Scripture describes it as renewing our minds:

Romans 12:-2 – I [Paul] appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your rational service.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

In this case, if you study the habits of healthy people, you will find that doctors recommend walking as part of a healthy lifestyle.  They can give you a whole list of reasons why walking is beneficial to your wellbeing.  If you’ve been studying these things, then your mind has been trained to think in a new way.  As a result, you can make yourself decide to get up and take that walk.

Conclusion: Your decision to do the right thing (take a walk) was influenced by a general knowledge of good health.

A similar thing happens in the spiritual realm.  Because we all have fallen natures, our thinking is corrupt – it always tends towards sin. 

However, if we take the time to read, study and meditate on the scriptures, then we are aware of the truth.  Holy Spirit uses the truth to convict you of sin.  If you partner with him, he will empower you to say ‘no’ to your carnal thoughts.  With his help, you can make decisions based on the truth of God’s word. 

Each time you make a righteous choice, it forms a new pattern in your life.  Eventually, you won’t have to think about it – you will do the righteous/holy thing in a particular circumstance.

Need I stress how important it is to be in the word of God? 

Another helpful tip is to keep yourself out of situations where you are likely to be tempted.  This may require you to avoid certain people and places for a period of time.  For example, if Holy Spirit is convicting you about drinking, don’t go to a bar, even if you plan to order coffee and just listen to music.  You’re only asking for failure!

The fact is, there are things we should avoid even in the privacy of our own homes.  Ask yourself this: What am I watching?  What am I reading?  What do I look at on the internet? 

Remember, we are not ignorant of Satan’s tactics.  He uses a common pattern to ensnare us in sin – he uses our senses (mostly eyes or ears) to implant a sinful thought in our minds. 

James 1:14 - …every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

At that point, we can and should banish that evil thought from our minds by quoting the truth of scripture.  If we do, we win the fight. 

If we don’t, then our mind will dwell on that sin until it takes root in our hearts.  Once it takes root, it is much more difficult to weed out.  In fact, at some point it will be impossible.  Left unchecked, that weed will eventually come to fruition in our lives as sin, and sin results in spiritual death:

James 1:15 - Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. 

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So take this friendly advice:  Don’t give Satan a foothold in your life; don’t give him access to your heart or mind through the things you see, hear, read, watch or think about.

You must fill the void left by sinful habits.  Scientists tell us that nature abhors a vacuum; if a spot in the universe is left empty, something will rush in to fill it.  We find a similar truth in the spiritual realm.  If you stop engaging in sinful or questionable activities, you are going to have an empty spot.  You need to fill that vacuum with righteous things. 

Fill your mind with books, shows and entertainment that are wholesome and spiritually beneficial.  Cultivate friendships with other Christians.  Find activities, hobbies and entertainment options that will promote godliness and holiness. 

At this point in the chapter, Paul goes on to mention a handful of specific areas which the Thessalonians are to pay strict attention to.  However, today’s post is going to end here.  We will look at these specific areas in our next post.    

Let me offer you some encouragement and relief:

Personal sanctification and holiness are requirements for a life that pleases God.  Yet, we often fail to pursue these goals.  Why is that?  

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute – we want what we want.  We like/enjoy some of the sins we commit, and we don’t want to give them up. 

On occasion, we may have tried to give up a particular sin using our own strength, only to find ourselves in failure and frustration.  We convince ourselves that victory is impossible so there is no point in continuing to struggle.  We give in and accept that sin.  We even make excuses for it or find reasons to justify it.

[Side note:  That is what the children of Isreal did when they conquered the Promised Land.  They failed to drive out some of the heathen tribes within their territories and it resulted in terrible problems for them.  Plus, it displeased the Lord.]

There are other sins which we inherently recognize as being too powerful for us to conquer, so we don’t even try!

For these reasons, many people dread and avoid the Christian discipline of holiness. 

But let me give you some encouragement and relief - what if I told you that we are looking at the sanctification process in the wrong way?

God’s purpose is not to make you miserable or to set you up for failure.  He never does that.  We know that God loves each one of us beyond measure:

Romans 5:8 – But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Plus, we know that we love him, he is worthy of all our trust, and we desire to please him.  Therefore, we know that when God requires something from us, it is for our eternal good. 

With this in mind, how should we view the process of sanctification?

First off, you need to recognize that God did not design sanctification to be some kind of a punishment.  He intends it to be a journey, which we undertake in relationship with him.  We should view the process as an opportunity to partner with him in a more intimate way, knowing that in the end our transformation will be for our good and his glory.

He initiates the process by convicting us.  We should view this as a personal invitation from the God of the universe.  He desires to have one-on-one fellowship with us, which will result in something amazing.  How can that be a bad thing?  Who wouldn’t be honored by that opportunity?

We RSVP to his invitation through the intimacy of prayer where we can fully open our lives to him, laying our concerns, fears, sins and failures at his feet.  He will gently lead us through his word and by direct revelation/instruction.

As we renew our minds with his word, he teaches and empowers us to defeat sin and become more like him in our everyday lives.  During this process, our relationship with him grows.  Our trust in him increases.  Our faith multiplies. 

He responds by revealing more of himself to us.  He shows us the greater and better things that are available to us, if we will get rid of the sin that is holding us back from him and his blessings. 

At the appropriate time, God will present us with opportunities to exercise our holiness.  He walks with us through the learning process, lavishly offering forgiveness when we need it. 

In the end, we will be closer to him, more like him and better able to please him.  We will be a vessel of honor, set aside for his use.  Done correctly, the process of sanctification will be rewarding and amazing. 

Let me offer you some strength:

Satan wants you to believe that sanctification is impossible.  In a way, he is right – it is impossible for you to sanctify yourself using your own wisdom and power.  But fortunately, as we have discussed, that is not the case.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Nothing is impossible with God; we can do all things through him.  Between now and our next post, why not meditate on the state of your own personal sanctification/holiness?

 

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I Thessalonians 3:11 – Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you…

The last three verses of this chapter are a prayer.  Paul begins this prayer by earnestly asking God to ‘direct his way’ to the Thessalonians.  In modern terms, we might say that Paul doesn’t want to take the ‘long way home’ or ‘the scenic route’.  He is asking the Lord to remove all obstacles and immediately send him straight to Thessalonica.

But there is a lot more going on in this verse than just a request to visit Thessalonica:  

• Paul’s prayer is directed to both the Father and to Jesus, reinforcing the fact that God cannot confer any blessings upon us unless it comes through our Mediator, Jesus Christ.  Until we are found in Christ, God is not our Father and we can’t receive anything from him.

 

• In the original Greek, the verb for ‘direct’ is singular.  This indicates that the prayer is addressed to both the Father and to Jesus without distinction; they are essentially one in rank and dominion.  Thus, Paul reinforces the fact that Jesus is divine and has the same power/authority that God the Father possesses.

 

• This passage also supports/confirms the fact that the Father and Son (and the Spirit who is at work in the earth) are regarded as possessing and exercising one indivisible will.

 

• This prayer reveals something about Paul – he did not strive to get his own way.  He was employed in the service of God and he continuously looked for God to direct where, when and how he would accomplish the tasks assigned to him.

This is a very important lesson which applies to today’s Christian.  We can and should use the abilities and gifts God has given us, but we must not fall into the trap of ministering in our own power or moving in a direction of our own choosing.  We need to closely follow the guidance of Holy Spirit who will lead the way in our ministries.

Fun fact:  Did you know that Paul eventually made a second visit to Thessalonica?  He returned there about five years later (Acts 20:1-5).  Clearly, God heard and answered his prayer, allowing Paul to return according to his divine and perfect timing.

This is another lesson for today’s believer – God has perfect timing.  We sometimes lag behind his leading due to indifference or laziness.  At other times, we get ahead of him, because we fail to exercise patience or we have an earnest desire for something.  Again, we must rely on the leading of Holy Spirit who will open and close doors at the proper time.

Now, let me ask you this:  How much confidence do you have in your own prayers?  Are you under the mistaken notion that you have to beg or convince God to keep his promises?  Do you approach him in unbelief, or do you have enough faith to rest assured he will answer?  Do you ask him for things fully expecting an answer?  

We, like the apostle Paul, can pray to God with full confidence because:

• He is the God who hears and answers prayer:

Psalm 65:2 - O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

• He is omnipotent (possessing all power and authority).  Therefore, God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than any of us could either ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).  Nothing is impossible for him (Luke 1:37).  He can even raise the dead!  

 

• He is omniscient (knowing all things).  Only God is qualified to answer our prayers because only he knows our deepest thoughts, desires and motivations.  Only he can understand every facet of our situation.  In fact, scripture tells us that God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).  Therefore, he knows what is best for us.  He knows how and when to supply the things we ask for. 

 

• He has adopted us into the kingdom of his Son, Jesus Christ.  Because of the sacrifice of Christ, God is now our Father.  As such, he has given us the right to come before his throne and make our requests.  What’s more, he encourages us to do so with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). 

 

• He always keeps his promises.  God has bound himself to his word.  Scripture tells us that he watches over his word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:11-12).  In other words, he always does what he promises he will do.  This is why it is so important for every Christian to be familiar with the bible – when we find a promise from God that relates to our situation, we can claim it and know (with absolute certainty) that he will act on that promise. 

 

• He does not withhold anything good from us.

Psalms 84:11 – For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor.  No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Romans 8:32 – He [God] that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

As you pray, keep this in mind:  God does not play favorites (Acts 10:34-35).  If he answered the prayers of Paul, he will answer your prayers too.  We can approach him with full confidence that we will receive an answer from him.  It won’t always be the answer we were looking for, but rest assured it will be what is best for us.  

I Thessalonians 3:12 - …and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

Paul further prays that in the meantime (until he is able to meet with them again), that God will confirm the Thessalonians in holiness and fill them with love – two characteristics which flow from faith in God. 

Let’s take a closer look at love.  Notice the distinction that Paul makes – love for one another (godly love among believers) and then love for all (godly love toward the world). 

Loving each other is a mark of our salvation.  When we were in the world, our love was selfish.  It focused almost exclusively on us and what we wanted.  But when God saves us and begins to work in us, our thinking is changed.  We begin to look outward (away from ourselves) and focus our love on God and others.

John 13:35 – By this all people will know that you are my [Jesus] disciples, if you have love for one another.

(See also I Peter 1:22, I Peter 3:8, I John 3:11, I John 4:7, Romans 13:8, Galatians 5:13, etc.)

The godly love that is at work in the hearts and minds of believers gives us a desire to be in church fellowship (see last week’s post).  Love is the cement that holds the church together.

But the love of God which flows in our lives does not stop there.  It ‘abounds to all’ or it extends to unbelievers, giving us compassion for them.  This love and compassion manifests itself in practical ministry as we share the gospel and meet the physical needs of the lost.  So, as our love abounds to the world, it brings more souls into the kingdom.

Our love for God also has a profound effect upon ourselves.  It produces a desire in us to be more holy, to be obedient to him, and to perform good works.

The ultimate outcome of godly love is a fulfillment of the law and the prophets:  

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”  And he [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And the second is like it:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Is it just me, or is that simply amazing?!  When we come to Christ, he fills us with godly love, which allows or causes us to love God and our fellow man.  As we grow in faith and immerse ourselves in godly love (as opposed to the selfish love we formerly had for ourselves), we are able to ‘fulfill the law and the prophets’ (and the gospel), which is something we could never have done in our own strength. 

This means that God not only commands us to love him (and our neighbors), he gives us the ability to do so!   Wow!  Let me say it once again:  God never sets us up to fail!  He always sets us up to be successful – he makes it possible for us to fulfill all the commands he has given us!

I Thessalonians 3:13 - …so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

As we increase in faith and mature as believers, we grow (increase and abound) in godly love.  As we mentioned earlier, godly love changes us; it causes us to look outside of ourselves.  It prompts us to be unified with fellow Christians and to minister to the lost. 

It also ignites a burning passion within our hearts to become more like Christ.  It causes us to strive for obedience and holiness in all that we think, do and say; it establishes us (makes us stable, immovably fixed) in the practice of holiness. 

Therefore, the end result of truly abounding in love is to be blameless in holiness before God at the end of this age (when Christ returns). 

Let’s examine this further.

The unrepentant Jews who were still practicing the Law were striving for holiness by observing the rites, rituals and rules of religion.  From their point of view, a person’s outward actions were all that counted.  They were completely unconcerned about having hearts that were full of wickedness (Matthew 23:25-28).

But God’s point of view is totally different.  Scripture tells us that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at our hearts, which is where our true motivations lie:

I Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said to Samuel, “…the Lord sees not as man sees:  man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Simply stated, God cares about what is in our hearts.  He wants to change us from the inside out.  Through the power of Holy Spirit, our love for God prompts/urges us to embrace purity and holiness.  When we abound in godly love, we desire to be holy, just as he is holy:

I Peter 1:14-15 – As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. 

As our hearts are purified and we embrace personal holiness, righteous thought, speech and conduct will naturally follow.  Thus, Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in practical holiness in our daily lives. 

Paul desires for the Thessalonian believers (actually every believer, including you and I) to be ‘blameless in holiness’ before God at the coming of Christ. 

What does it mean to be blameless in holiness?  Well, it certainly doesn’t mean we are perfect - that will only happen when Christ returns:

Ephesians 5:25-27 - … Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Commentators take two views of the concept of being blameless in holiness. 

One - It may mean that through the power of Holy Spirit, we have done everything in our power to live out practical holiness in our lives.  Because of this, we do not need to fear or be ashamed when Christ returns.  

Two - It may mean that on the Day of Judgment unbelievers will not be able to accuse us before God because we have done everything in our power to display a holy witness in front of them. 

Let me just stress this one point, so there is no confusion:  Our holiness does NOT make us blameless/sinless before God.  We are saved and cleansed by the blood of Christ and not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  However, AFTER we have been forgiven by Christ and abound in the love of the Father, Holy Spirit assists us in becoming more and more holy.      

Paul wants us to be found blameless in holiness ‘at the coming of our Lord Jesus’.  What does that mean?

Let’s begin by establishing that Jesus has promised to return to the earth to rapture the church (his bride) and take her to heaven:

John 14:3 – And if I [Jesus] go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

(See also I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Acts 1:11, etc). 

When this happens, we will be face-to-face with Jesus and the Father.  Jesus makes it clear that none of us know the exact day or time when he will return (Matthew 24:36).  This means that his return (and our meeting with him) could literally be any day.

Of course, there is another possibility as well – a believer could die before the return of Christ.  In that case, he or she would see Jesus face-to-face even sooner.  And again, since we don’t know the exact date and time of our death, our meeting with Jesus could be anytime.

Here is the point:  In this verse, Paul skillfully links our meeting with the Lord with the way we live our daily lives.  We should be all about holiness because any day (even today) could be the day we see our Savior face-to-face.

Paul was also presenting a secondary truth in this verse.  Remember, the Thessalonians were experiencing affliction and persecution.  This reminder that the return of Christ was imminent was an encouragement to them – their suffering wasn’t going to last forever.  God was allowing it to happen for their eternal good; it was important for them (and for us) to bear their afflictions in righteousness.

Let me offer you some encouragement:

As Christians, we all acknowledge that Jesus will return to earth and take us to heaven, if we don’t die first.  The question is, does this impact our daily lives?

I don’t know about you, but if I truly felt that each and every day could be my last, I would take more initiative to tell people about Christ.  I would probably spend more time with people and less time with things. 

Furthermore, I think it would be easier to practice personal holiness (squash temptation and avoid sin), if I thought I might be seeing Jesus in just a few hours.   

This is the view that Paul prays for all believers to adopt – and with good reason, for any of us could pass into eternity before today ends. 

James 4:14 - Whereas you know not what shall be tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

Paul wants people to be ready for that day.  God is coming again to judge the world.  Every hour that passes advances his approach; he has never been closer to returning that he is right now! 

Because of his imminent return, I encourage you to bear suffering and afflictions in righteousness and to seize every day for the glory of God.  

Let me offer you some relief:

One thing is certain – yesterday is gone and there is no guarantee that we will have tomorrow.  So don’t worry or fret about what you can’t change. 

Instead, focus on today.  Today, you can forgive others and let go of bitterness and grudges.  Today you can share the gospel with someone.  Today you can pray for deliverance.  Today you can be in the word.  Today you can visit the sick or encourage those who are suffering. 

Satan will try to make you feel so guilty about yesterday that you mope around and do nothing today.  Don’t fall into that trap!  Let go of yesterday.  Ask Holy Spirit to give you an opportunity to work in the kingdom TODAY.

Let me offer you some strength:

Paul constantly prayed for all the believers under his leadership.  He prayed with confidence, because he knew that prayer was a direct line of communication between himself and God. 

The same is true for us.  When we pray, God is always faithful to hear and answer; our prayers are never vain or fruitless:

Isaiah 45:18-19 - … “I am the Lord, and there is no other.  I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain’…

As our faith grows and our spiritual maturity increases, our prayer lives should also change.  

For instance, as new Christians, we might pray for God to instantly release us from a certain affliction.  A more mature believer may pray for strength to glorify God in the midst of that affliction, instead of praying to be released from it. 

A new Christian might ask God why he or she is undergoing a trial, while a mature believer will ask God what he is trying to teach them or accomplish through them in the trial.

In scripture we find that Paul always prayed prayers of spiritual maturity and significance for those under his leadership.  In this passage, he specifically prays for believers to abound in love for God, for each other and for all men (the lost).  

So… what are you praying for yourself?  There is nothing wrong with praying for your earthly needs.  In fact, Jesus instructed us to do that very thing when he taught us to pray:

Luke 11:3 – Give us day by day our daily bread.

But we shouldn’t be stopping there.  We should also be praying for spiritual wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17), for our hearts to be enlightened (Ephesians 1:18), that we be filled with a knowledge of his will (Colossians 1:9), that we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Colossians 1:10) and that we be strengthened with all power for endurance and patience in trials (Colossians 1:11).  The list goes on and on.     

Do you want to strengthen your Christian walk and grow in your witness for Christ?  If so, you might want to consider examining the prayers of Paul and praying them over yourself.  You can start with his prayer for the Thessalonians – that they would increase and abound in godly love.

 

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I Thessalonians 3:6-7 – But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you; for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

In our last post, we discovered that when Paul, Silas and Timothy were reunited in Athens, Timothy brought word that the church in Thessalonica was again under attack from false doctrines.  Particularly, the Greeks asserted that if miraculous power really flowed through Paul and his team, then there was no need for them to flee from persecution - they could simply perform a miracle and save themselves.

Paul refuted that lie by reminding the Thessalonians that persecution, suffering and/or affliction were a normal part of Christianity; no believer is exempt from these experiences. 

We also noted that God is not the source of adversity, but he does allow some calamities to touch our lives.  He uses these hardships for our good (see details in our previous post).

Paul was so concerned for the welfare of the Thessalonian church, he immediately sent Timothy back to be their spiritual shepherd in his absence.  Eventually Timothy was reunited with Paul in the city of Corinth (Acts 18:1-5), and he came bringing good news – the Thessalonian church was alive and well!

Timothy gives three particular areas which showed the continued steadiness and growth of the church:

Their faith:  Despite the tribulations caused by the unbelieving Jews and the false doctrines promoted by the Greeks, the Thessalonian church still had a secure belief in God. 

Through the work of Holy Spirit and their faith/steadfast confidence in God, they averted unbelief and doctrinal errors.  They were true to the gospel which Paul, Timothy and Silas had preached to them.  This was the best news Paul could have hoped for!  

Their love/charity:  This phrase speaks of the love that the Thessalonian believers had for each other.  Part of the reason they were able to overcome Satan’s attacks was because they encouraged and helped each other in the faith.

Let’s pause and consider that for a minute.  In order to be a strength and encouragement, they had to spend time with each other.  This means they did not stop meeting together, even in the face of persecution and affliction. 

Sadly, here in America where meeting together is protected by law, we have believers who claim to be part of a church, but they never attend services in person.  While you can be spiritually fed by watching a sermon on TV, that does not give you all the spiritual nutrition you need. 

In order to be a healthy and happy believer, you need to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in the church. There are many reasons for this:  

• You need to be in fellowship with others because your interactions with other believers give you strength and encouragement for your journey. 

For example, let’s suppose you just found out that you have a major health issue.  If you attend church, it is likely you will find a brother or sister who has also faced that same issue.  They can offer you words of comfort, let you know what to expect, and even give you some advice.  They can share scriptures which ministered to them in their time of need.  Just knowing that that person made it through the crisis will give you hope that you too will come through.  These kinds of love and fellowship are invaluable.

• This concept flows both ways - you need to be in church and be in fellowship with others, because someone else in your church may need you to come alongside them and strengthen them during their time of need. 

For example, perhaps you went through some kind of traumatic event in life, like a house fire.  If someone else is experiencing the same issue, you can be their strength and encouragement.

• You need to be in church and be in fellowship with others because you need partners in ministry. 

What has God called you to do?  I guarantee that the minute you step out in faith to begin a ministry, you will find that you need help and support.  Your ministry will need prayer, advice, financial support and a multitude of other things that you can’t do all by yourself.  God does this on purpose, so that we learn to function as a unified body, with him as our head (Ephesians 1:22-23, I Corinthians 12).

Long ago the world discovered that ‘networking’ was one of the essential tools for getting things done.  (Little did they know, they were actually following a biblical principle!)  It’s time Christians discovered this principle as well; we need each other to be successful in ministry.

• You need to be present in church and church related activities so you can pray for others.

There is no doubt that prayer is an essential part of the Christian life.  The apostle James tells us that if any among our fellowship is sick, they should call upon the elders to anoint them, lay hands on them and pray for them (James 5:14-16). 

In addition, we are instructed to confess our faults one to another.  How are you going to do that, if you are not in fellowship with other believers?

• You need to be present and active within the church in order to offer practical help in times of need. 

For instance, when someone experiences the death or loss of a loved one, they need their brothers and sisters to offer comfort and to share the burden of grief.  They might need someone to cook a meal or to run some errands.  If someone injures their knee, they may need you to mow their grass a few times.  You need to be in fellowship so you can be a part of ministering to those in need.

• You need to be present in church and in fellowship with other believers because ‘iron sharpens iron’:

Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. 

For example, through fellowship and conversation, we can sharpen each other’s minds.  This will assist us in avoiding the traps of the enemy especially in the areas of false doctrines and teachings. 

Furthermore, when we are in fellowship we can stir up one another to be diligent in good works and in using the gifts God has given us.  We can hold each other accountable for our actions and our lifestyles. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

Clearly, there are numerous reasons why God requires us to be in close fellowship with each other.  The bottom line is that God has designed the church to operate as a body, so you need to actively meet/fellowship with others on a regular basis.  This should be happening inside and outside of the church services.     

Their affection for Paul and a desire to see him: The continued love and affection that the Thessalonians showed for their spiritual teachers (Paul, Timothy and Silas), was indeed a good sign. 

If they had begun to fall away from the faith or if they had doubts about Paul and the gospel, they certainly would not have been glad to see any of these men.   

But that was not the case.  The Thessalonians had a great respect and reverence for Paul, Silas and Timothy.  It is clear that they would welcome a visit from these men at any time.  In fact, they longed to see Paul, Timothy and Silas as much as these ministers longed to see them.  A face-to-face meeting would refresh and encourage all of them.

Paul makes it very clear that when news of the steadfast faith of the Thessalonians reached him at Corinth, he was greatly comforted and reassured.  The good news of the saints in Thessalonica was like breath of fresh air to him.   

I Thessalonians 3:8 – For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

When Paul and his companions considered the afflictions of the Thessalonian church and the false doctrines being presented to them by unbelievers, they were distraught and burdened.  They had delivered the true gospel of eternal life to the Thessalonians, and the last thing they wanted was for Satan to take that away from them. 

When word finally reached Paul that the church had remained steadfast and unwavering in their faith, it caused this burden to be lifted.  Paul ‘lived’ - he experienced a special joy in his heart and mind because of this victory. 

Think of it this way:  A scientist finds joy and satisfaction in discovering the laws of nature.  Scholars find pleasure in accumulating knowledge.  Business people find intense delight in closing deals and making money. 

In the same way, Paul experienced real pleasure and satisfaction knowing that the Thessalonians were unwavering in their faith. 

Keep in mind that at the time Paul received this message, he was ministering in the midst of adversity.  He was working a full time job in Corinth (Acts 18:3), but he still suffered lack.  He had an infirmity that wouldn’t go away.  He was subjected to the fury of the Jews and the scorn of the Gentiles on a daily basis.  His life was difficult/hard 100% of the time. 

So it’s not hard to see that the good news regarding the Thessalonian church encouraged and refreshed him like a drink of ice water refreshes a traveler dying of thirst.  It intensified Paul’s pleasure in this life.     

Paul was not the only apostle to experience this kind of satisfaction.  He seems to be echoing the sentiments of the apostle John who said this:

3 John 4 – I [John] have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

I Thessalonians 3:9 – For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God…

This verse reflects the depth of Paul’s joy.  ‘What thanksgiving can we return to God for you’  is essentially a rhetorical question; Paul is saying that he cannot find an expression of gratitude to God that sums up the vast amount of joy he feels because of the continued faith of the Thessalonians.  Simply put, any words of thanksgiving he offers to God cannot adequately declare the deep and profound joy he is experiencing. 

This joy is not a celebration of Paul’s accomplishments - that is the furthest thing from the apostle’s mind.  His profound joy is rooted in the grace of God, which is the source of the Thessalonian’s faith and steadfast love. 

Because of the grace of God, the Thessalonians have embraced the true gospel and they are recipients of eternal life.  What’s more, God will use the trials and afflictions they now face to mature their spiritual lives.

James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  

Paul is excited about the manifestation of the life changing power of the gospel, which flows from the grace of God and is at work in the Thessalonian believers.

That same grace is manifesting in the lives of believers today, including you and me.  Like Paul, we can give praise to God when we see his grace at work in the lives of others.

I Thessalonians 3:10 - …as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

In this verse Paul comments on the prayers he made for the Thessalonian church. 

These weren’t just short, perfunctory requests.  Paul’s prayers for them were fervent, persistent and importunate.  He made the Thessalonian believers a special subject of prayer.  He spent time earnestly holding them up before the throne of God, praying for their spiritual growth/wellbeing.  He also fervently asked for the opportunity to see them again so he could further shepherd them in the faith. 

Part of this urgency was Paul’s understanding that his return to Thessalonica was being hindered by Satan himself (I Thessalonians 2:18).  He believed that it was God’s will for him to return to Thessalonica, so he prayed for God’s will to be done  on earth as it was in heaven.    

Paul wanted to return to his spiritual children to ‘supply what was lacking in their faith’.  The word ‘supply’ means to complete, to make fully ready or to put full in order.  In other scriptures the same Greek word is translated as:

• ‘Mending’ (Matthew 4:21, Mark 1:19) 
• ‘Perfectly joined together’ (I Corinthians 1:10) 
• ‘Perfect/perfected’ (Matthew 21:16, Hebrews 13:21, I Peter 5:10) 
• ‘Restore’ (Galatians 6:1)   
• ‘Prepared’ (Hebrews 10:5) 
• ‘Framed’ (Hebrews 11:3)

The overall meaning is that whatever was deficient or lacking in their doctrine, the apostles were ready and willing to supply, so that the faith of the Thessalonians may be complete/perfect.  In addition, Paul desired to increase their knowledge, to excite/inflame their love for God, to spur them on in righteousness, and to kindle a greater desire for performing good works.   

Since Paul was suddenly torn away from them, it is reasonable to assume that he wished to instruct them more fully on several topics.   

Think of it this way:  We might describe their faith as an outline – they knew the major points, but the details were missing.  Paul greatly desires to come and fill in the outline through his teaching, so that the church would be perfectly equipped for every good work.

As you no doubt noticed, there are no perfect Christians.  None of us have arrived at perfection; all of us have deficiencies or defects in our faith.  One of the many facets of pastoral ministry is to ‘mend’ these inadequacies and help bring our faith to perfection.

This is one more reason to show up to church in person and to submit to the authority of the church’s pastors and elders.    

Let me offer you some encouragement, relief and strength:

In the natural realm, God created and placed each individual part of the human body in a position where it can be of the greatest service and usefulness to the whole person.  For example, it would be really inconvenient to have your hands protruding from your spine, especially since you can’t see anything back there!

The same is true in the spiritual body of the church.  The gifts and talents that you possess were given to you by God’s sovereign will.  He then places each individual (including you) in a position where they can be of the greatest service and usefulness to the whole body (the church). 

Mankind classifies some gifts/talents as greater than others, but that is a false idea.  Each person in the church should be honored and highly esteemed as being an indispensible part of God’s body, which assists in establishing his will on earth.

You should NEVER consider yourself or your gifts as inconsequential.  Every Christian is essential to the body of Christ.  To say otherwise is to say that you are wiser than God!

Likewise, you should never compare your ministry to another one.  Even though you may have overlapping or even duplicated components of ministry, you will reach individuals that no one else can.  God has placed you where you are right now ‘for such a time as this’.     

As with the natural body, the individual members of the church cannot exist or function by themselves.  We need each other just like the feet need the legs or the hands need the eyes.  This circles back to another very important topic in today’s discussion – YOU NEED TO BE IN CHURCH.  You also need to find ways to experience fellowship outside of Sunday services. 

The connections you make to the people in your church body are incredibly important.  If you don’t have any, start making some!  Invite some other members of the church to your house, or to a sporting event or a concert.  Begin to cultivate friendships within the body.   

Find your place in the body of Christ and own it!