Christians have been suffering persecution for their faith from the very earliest days of the Church in the New Testament on through to this day. Sometimes, when persecution is raging high, we might be tempted to get discouraged, and to keep our faith quiet and not talk to others or witness as much. Our Scripture today, from the second chapter of St. Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica speaks of the persecution that the Thessalonian believers were enduring. It was not easy for them, as we can imagine, just as it isn’t for believers today, and Paul gave them encouragement.
Paul was no stranger to opposition to his ministry, opposition which often turned into outright persecution, including physical attacks. This hostility and persecution came from all quarters - from the Jews who opposed him preaching about Jesus being the Messiah, from the Greeks and Romans who were suspicious of any new religion or new thinking which might cause trouble, and also from some fellow believers, particularly Jewish believers, who didn’t like him accepting Gentiles into the church. One of the ways that some of his enemies came against him was to spread lies and misinformation among the churches, such as how Paul was a fraud, and only trying to scam them for their money. Paul addressed this issue as our Scripture today begins, by reminding them how he had never asked for money from the Thessalonians (vs. 9), but instead had worked for a salary as a tentmaker. That way his motives could not be questioned. Paul trusted in God to provide for his needs. Many other false teachers, both in the early church, and now, come demanding money from others.
Next, Paul’s enemies tried to attack his character (vs. 10-12). Paul had behaved blamelessly during those few weeks he had ministered in Thessalonica, just as a good father is towards his children. That is how he viewed himself in relation to that new church, as a father is to his children. He took the new believers under his wing, and was going to nurture them till they became strong, mature Christians. Just like Paul did, we believers need to live in a way that is worthy of God, not in a way that is an embarrassment to Him. Live in a way that will not give the enemies of the Lord any ammunition or anything they can use against us.
Paul continued on by giving these persecuted Christians encouragement, letting them know that, just as their fellow countrymen were coming against them, the believers in Judea were suffering the same thing (vs. 14). Sometimes when we are being attacked for our faith, we may think that we are alone. However, there are believers all around the world who are suffering similar persecution, some even much worse than what we are enduring.
Today persecution comes from many sources: from other religions, from some political parties and governments, and even from the media and entertainment world. At that time in the early Church, the main opposition and persecution was coming from the Jews, particularly Jewish religious leaders. They would not accept Jesus as Savior themselves, and they tried to stop Paul from witnessing to others, including Gentiles, so that they would get saved (vs. 15-16). They believed that Jesus was a false prophet, and not the Messiah, and they didn’t want His teachings to spread. They also felt that if more Jews believed in Jesus, their own power and authority would diminish. Many of the Jews, including some Jewish believers, resented that Gentiles were accepted into the faith as equals. Paul wanted to encourage these believers who were facing persecution to stand fast in their faith. Other believers were also suffering similar attacks. If the Lord Jesus was not exempt from persecution, His followers should not expect to escape it.
These attacks and persecutions that other people bring against us, and the difficulties that prevent us from accomplishing God’s work, can be attributed to Satan (vs. 18). Satan’s opposition to the Lord’s work is real, and we need to be aware of it. He is behind all persecution against believers, and anything that stops the spread of the Gospel. However, we should never be discouraged by the enemy's schemes. Satan is no match for the power of God. The ultimate victory is His!
Paul closed this portion of Scripture by sharing with his fellow persecuted believers that his ultimate reward was not in any amount of money he could make, or amount of fame he could achieve, but rather in the souls that were saved and the lives changed by preaching of the Gospel (vs. 19-20). For him, that was worth any amount of persecution. He knew that faithful believers would receive a number of different crowns for the type of service they give the Lord. One is the Crown of Rejoicing, or the soul-winner's crown. This is given to those who lead others to the Lord.
As time goes on, the days of persecution for believers will increase in all parts of the world. Stand true to the faith, just as Paul did, and the Church in Thessalonica did. The Lord will have rewards for those who remain true to Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment