The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: 1 Thessalonians

  • Living Examples

    “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”

    1 Thessalonians 1:7

    Paul remembered the missionary journey that led to the establishment of the church at Thessalonica. “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain” (1 Thessalonians 2:1). He also recalled the short amount of time they had there – for it was not enough to teach them all they needed to know. The book of First Thessalonians was written to the church at Thessalonica, which Paul established on his second missionary journey (see Acts 17). Remember that when there was an uprising incited by Jews who rejected the teaching of Jesus, Paul and Silas were sent away by night – keeping them safe. They were only there for three Sabbaths, but when the people at Thessalonica heard the Gospel message preached by Paul and Silas, enough of them believed that a church was established.

    Read one of the most important things the people of Thessalonica did after they became Believers (Christians). “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). Followers means “an imitator.” They had heard Paul’s preaching, saw his response in a time of tribulation, and had imitated him in his words and deeds. Because of these things, they became followers of the Lord, suffering affliction, but with joy.

    It is important to understand that putting one’s trust in Jesus is good (becoming a Christian), but it is just as important to put the principles of God’s Word into action in one’s life. It is then that God is able to work, and the world will see what God has done in the heart. Some call this putting one’s faith into action. Remember what faith means. Faith means “faith in Christ as able to work miracles, healing the sick; the means of appropriating what God in Christ has for man resulting in the transformation of man’s character and way of life – also called Christian faith.” Read what Paul recognized in these Believers. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Not only had a church been established, but also the Christians at Thessalonica were living examples into the areas around. They had appropriated their faith in Christ into their lives, transforming their character and way of life. This revealed their Christian faith. “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thessalonians 1:7). Because they were living examples, their testimony of the power of God unto salvation in their lives was so great that it spread – for others in the areas around heard of the change that had taken place in their lives: how they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

    Because of this, one can understand how the Church at Thessalonica became such great living examples. Compare I Thessalonians 1:3, 5-7 with what is recorded in James 2:17-18: “17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James was teaching Christians that faith and works go hand in hand. This is to reveal Jesus to the lost world. Because faith is an issue of the heart (for one believes in the heart, then confesses with the mouth, see Romans 10:9-10), physical works are a necessity to show the world what has taken place in the heart. “19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20). James wrote, “that faith without works is dead”. This is an indication of one who has only confessed with the mouth that they believe, but never truly believed in the heart – much like the devils. Understand that unless it is a “saving faith,” it is counterfeit. This kind of faith lulls people into a false security of eternal life.

    James did not just teach that with faith comes works, he cited examples from the Old Testament that all would remember. See the example of Abraham. “21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:21-24). By Abraham’s act of offering his son, Isaac, it revealed the faith he had had in his heart for all of those years. Abraham’s faith was “justified by works”, revealing his heart to all of the world.

    The people in the church of Thessalonica had followed Paul and Silas’ teachings of Christ, appropriated their faith, and many around had recognized their Christ-like lives. This made them viable witnesses for Jesus.

    Have you appropriated your faith in Christ, becoming a living witness, where others can recognize Jesus in you?

  • The Work of Faith

    “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
    Philippians 1:6

    First Thessalonians was written to the church at Thessalonica, which Paul established on his second missionary journey (see Acts 17). There had been an uprising incited by Jews who rejected the teaching of Jesus, and Paul and Silas were sent away by night – keeping them safe. Although they had not been in Thessalonica long, enough people believed when they heard the Gospel message preached, and a church was established.

    Paul recognized their “work of faith” as he wrote to this church. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” (1 Thessalonians 1:3). It would be good to remember what Jesus had told the people when they asked him what work they must do. “28. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28-29). That One whom God sent is Jesus. Our only work of salvation is to believe in Jesus, whom God sent. Once you believe in Jesus by faith, He will be with you, helping you – always. Paul also wrote about this in his letter to the Philippians. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).  In this verse, recognize that the “good work in you” refers to what Jesus had explained. It is faith (belief) in Jesus. It is referred to as our only work for salvation. But if you noticed, Paul also commended their “labour of love.” This tells of how they revealed their love for Christ by obeying His Word and becoming more like Him. Read how this is revealed in the book of James. “17. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:17-18).  Faith and works go hand in hand to reveal Jesus to the lost world. It is important to understand that believing in Jesus is vital, but it is just as important to put the principles of God’s Word into action in one’s life. It is then that God is able to work, and the world will see what God has done in the heart.

    This faith and labor of love led them to the “patience of hope” that was revealed in them. In each chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul reminded them of that hope – as they waited for the return of Jesus to take them home to heaven.

    Paul also had an important message for them. “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Paul declared that they (Paul, Silas, and Timothy) had preached the Gospel message of Jesus. Remember that Gospel message they preached: “1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved …3. … how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul recognized that this Gospel message had come to the people in Thessalonica not “in word only.” Sure, they heard the words of the Gospel message, but Paul wanted them to understand something else. Those words came to them in “power, and in the Holy Ghost.” To understand this better, see the following. “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). One is “called” by the conviction by the Holy Spirit of sin in one’s heart after hearing that Gospel message. What one does with that call (that conviction) is up to the individual. Some repent (have a change of heart and mind about sin, turning away from that sin toward Christ). Remember that is our only “work” for salvation. Others refuse that call (that conviction), choosing instead to continue on the path that leads away from a changed life in Christ. Each person has to make that choice. However, when one responds to that call, there is a specific power revealed. Read what Paul wrote about it. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). The Gospel message of Christ is the power of God to salvation to everyone that believes. It is then that one is able to live a Christ-like life – which is what Paul, Silas, and Timothy had done.

    Have you believed, by faith, in Jesus which is the power of God unto salvation, enabling you to live a Christ-like life?

    How to be Saved

  • Be Prepared

    “16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

    What amazing words! Jesus promised Christians that He would one day descend from heaven, where we will be caught up together, meeting Him in the air! And we will be with Him forever! The next verse tells us: “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). We are to remember that Jesus has not forgotten us, He is coming for us, and we should strongly encourage one another with these words.

    When will this happen? “1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). No one knows. But if we pay attention, we will be able to tell when that day is getting closer! As long as we are cognizant as to what is happening in the world and in the church, that day should not take us by surprise. Even though a thief does not call ahead to warn you when he will break into a home or business, we know the most opportune times for a thief to break into a place. And we prepare. We watch. We make sure that we will not be caught off guard. We take precautions to keep us from an unexpected break-in. Just in the same manner, we should live our lives prepared. We know that day will come suddenly, as a surprise. We need to watch. As Christians, we should be living as if that day could be today. The day the Lord will come, and each Christian will stand before Him to give an accounting of his or her life, and what that person has done with that life to please the Lord. It is important to keep in the forefront of our minds that we represent Jesus in this world — for we are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Remember the warning Paul gave to us. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

    Throughout the New Testament Paul encouraged Christians in what they were to do. Each Christian needs to remember that we are to become more like Jesus everyday. We must be aware of the temptations that surround us, that try to prevent us from living right. We must make a conscious effort to live a faithful Christian life, pleasing Jesus all day every day, never becoming tired of the Christian life. We are always to be on guard, awake, and ready for Jesus to come again at any moment! And we are to encourage others with this message! Remember the words of Galatians 6:9: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

    Watch!

    Be prepared!

    Don’t be weary in well doing, remembering that Jesus could come today!