A newborn baby needs help for quite a while after being born. When we bring the little one home, we certainly don’t expect them to run outside and join the neighborhood children in a game of backyard baseball, nor do we expect them to sit down and read Shakespeare and write a 20-page essay on what they read. They need the help, love, and support of their mother, father, and other members of their family. The same is true for spiritually newborn children of God. They need spiritual love, support, and care from their spiritual family, helping them to grow in the Lord. This is what the Apostle Paul sought to give the young, new believers in Thessalonica, as we see in his epistles to that church. Let’s look at one brief passage from his first letter to that church.
The church in Thessalonica had a very difficult beginning, as we read in Acts 17:1-10. At the end of Acts 16, the missionaries Paul and Silas had been run out of Philippi by their enemies, after establishing a church there. Once in Thessalonica, they began to tell people about salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus, and several people were saved, and began a new church. However, within a matter of weeks, those who opposed the Gospel, both Jews and Gentiles, began to bring more persecution, and Paul and Silas needed to flee for their lives again, leaving the new church behind.
A short while later Paul sent these new believers a letter of encouragement, and our Scripture comes from the middle of this letter. These believers in Thessalonica were brand new Christians when Paul and Silas had to flee the city for safety, just babies in Christ. Perhaps when they fled, Paul left some of his companions there to help instruct these new believers. Now Paul sent this letter to express his love and gratitude to these new fellow believers, and to let them know of his prayers.
As we read here, Paul wanted these believers to know the deep gratitude he had to God for them, and the joy he had as he heard of their spiritual growth, despite the persecution and hostility they experienced, both from Jews and Gentiles in the city (vs. 9). How do we feel when we see or hear of a new Christian’s spiritual growth, maybe in spite of their own personal hardships? All too often spiritually older Christians have little concern for those new in the faith, other than perhaps to think critically of them if they aren’t immediately “super-Christians”. Paul, though, was so grateful for them, and was filled with joy.
This led him to keep them in his prayers each day (vs. 10). He prayed that they would grow in the faith, and he also prayed that he might one day be able to return to Thessalonica. Prayer for new believers is important, as well as leaders guiding and nurturing the faith of their congregations. Again, how well are us spiritually older believers following Paul’s example?
As Paul continued, he stated again his deep desire to come see the believers in Thessalonica again (vs. 11). He prayed that this would be the will of God, and sought His direction to be able to reunite with them. Paul knew that seeking God’s will and guidance in everything was important, including something as desirous as his wish to see them again. He didn’t just up and take a trip to see them unless he knew that was in the center of God’s will. We, too, should know that God is sovereign, and seek His guidance in all aspects of our life, trusting in His perfect timing and plan.
In verse 12 we read of Paul’s prayer that the Thessalonian believers would grow in love for one another, and also for all people in general. He wished for their love for others would increase and overflow. Love is a fundamental Christian virtue, and Paul wanted this church to grow in love, and to reflect the love of Jesus to others. Do our churches show that love to both newcomers and those who have been attending for a while? A church that supports and cares for one another will both draw the unsaved to them, and also show long-time members that they matter, too.
As our Scripture comes to a close, Paul reminded them of the imminence of Jesus’ return (vs. 13). Paul didn’t know, and we don’t know, exactly when He will return. It could be today, next week, next year, or many more years down the road. He told the Thessalonians, and tells us now, that we need to be living blameless and holy lives, striving for moral purity and integrity before God. Let’s be sure that we are living in a way that honors the Lord Jesus, so that when He does return, we will be ready and not ashamed.
No comments:
Post a Comment