Now we Really Live

Now we Really Live

Words of Faith 3-18-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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1 Thessalonians 3

    [6] But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. [7] Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. [8] For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. [9] How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? [10] Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

         Paul had been very concerned for the Thessalonian believers.  They were new converts,  "babes in Christ.”  He knew how easy it would be for them to turn back to the old ways of paganism, now that their leaders were gone and the persecution had heated up.  Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica because he was deeply concerned for their spiritual welfare. It was a burden to Paul's heart not knowing if they were continuing in the faith. 

        There was no e-mail, instant messaging or social media.  No phones or blogs.  He needed to know if they were they still trusting in God or had they abandoned Him and returned to paganism? 

        The mission at Thessalonica was not something that Paul could just walk away from because of a little trouble with the authorities.  He was concerned enough to send Timothy and seek some reassurance that they were continuing to walk by faith even in these difficult circumstances. 

        Timothy brought to Paul the good news that their faith was bearing fruit in love.  This was such good news!  Paul used the same Greek word that was used for "the Gospel.”  Surely he did not do this lightly.  Of course, this was not the same as the "Gospel" of the coming of Jesus to save us from our sins.  But this was "the gospel," good news of hearing that precious brothers and sisters are walking strong in the faith as they follow Jesus. 

       Paul expressed it so powerfully: For now we really live since you are standing firm in the Lord.  Now we can really live.  Life was burdened in a sense not knowing if these precious ones were still in the arms of the Lord.  

      In fact, the Thessalonians were strong in faith toward God and in love toward His apostles. They looked back on the visit of the missionaries with pleasant memories and looked forward to seeing them again evidenced their genuine love for the apostles.

       Timothy's report came as sweet relief to the anxious missionaries. They were bound by something much more significant than some desire for "church growth.”  They were indeed brethren, linked not only by the bonds of life in Christ but also by the bonds of love for one another.  Paul and Timothy had been sources of encouragement to the Thessalonians in their persecution.  Now, these babes in Christ had provided encouragement to the missionaries who had been persecuted by fears about that church's condition.  Nothing filled the apostles with joy like news that their converts were standing firm in the Lord.

          Essentially Paul says, "We cannot thank God enough for you because of all the joy you have brought to our hearts by your endurance in these trials."  Paul thanked God for the Thessalonians' behavior, but he did not take credit for this. Paul acknowledged that their endurance was really a tribute to the work of God in them-- for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philip. 2:13).

        But news of the Thessalonians' perseverance did not relieve Paul of his desire to return to them. Though they were enduring a trial of their faith, they still needed more instruction and more growth. Paul wanted to supply what was lacking in their faith.  The word for "supply" means to "to prepare.”  Paul desired "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephes. 4:12).  The Thessalonians were like tender young plants with roots that had held them firm against the present storm.  But they still needed to grow and mature.  

        Paul did not let up in prayer simply because he heard that the Thessalonians were walking closely with God.  He knew that there were struggles ahead for them.  For the first time, Paul suggests there were some deficiencies in the spiritual condition of the Thessalonians, deficiencies due to immaturity rather than to waywardness. Up till now, Paul described them as having the characteristics of new Christians. Now he said they were deficient in certain respects, as a child is deficient in comparison with an adult.

         What do we gain from this?

         In our daily walk, we need to hear with joy the good news that people are growing and walking with Jesus.  We tend to hear mostly about those who fall away.  We can become critical of those who are merely at a different place than we are.  We need to rejoice in the new believers who are growing and walking with God. 

         New believers may be immature in many respects, but we need to rejoice in knowing that they have not turned back to paganism or the way of the world.  Sometimes church people are annoyed at new believers, especially if they carry some of the markings, clothing, or trappings of their previous life.  We should instead ask: How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?

          We need to pray in earnest for those who are walking with Christ but are still tender in their faith.  Paul constantly prayed for those who had come to Christ and now needed to be rooted deeply and prepared for ministry.   

         Father God, give me joy today rejoicing in all those that You are bringing to salvation through the Good News of Jesus.  Give me a spirit of rejoicing because of the good news that so many are standing with You through persecution.  Give me a heart to pray for those growing in Christ.  Show me the way that I might help equip those who are new to faith in Jesus.  In Jesus' name.