Ingredients For Growing a Christian
June 9, 2019
Commentary
In Paul’s day letters usually started out with the person writing the letter using their own name first and then the name of the person or church to whom he was writing (v. 1). Paul addresses his fellow Christians as brothers and prays that God will be kind to them and bless them with peace (v. 2). He then gives three characteristics of a Christian and what this characteristic produces (v. 3):
Faith produces worksLove produces laborHope produces patienceWe can see over and over again throughout Paul’s writings how he stresses that faith, love and hope are the basic ingredients for a growing Christian. Faith involves trusting God for what may seem impossible. For the most part we Christians here in America know very little about faith. We have so many material things and are surrounded by so many opportunities that there isn’t much that we can’t achieve on our own. That was not true with New Testament Christians. They had to trust God day by day.
Love is an action word. It can not be measured by feeling as the world would have us believe. More is said about love in the New Testament than any other word. Hope cannot be based on the things of this world that will soon pass away. Hope indicates security. Many place their hope in our freedom, our jobs, our possessions, our family etc. Our hope must be in Christ and He alone. God has chosen to give us the gospel that comes in power and assurance, through the Holy Spirit, with great power and conviction (vv. 4-5).
Application
My citizenship is in heaven and I am just a stranger passing through this life. Hope in this life brings disappointments but hope in the Lord will bring security.
1 Thessalonians 1:1– 5 (NET)
1 From Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you!
2 We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly in our prayers, 3 because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).