1 Thessalonians 3
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,
2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,
3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—
7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,
10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
For those who will impact and bring revelation of the truth in Christ, there is the risk of afflictions that may affect more than just the ministers but also those who observe what they’re enduring. Rather than becoming consumed with his own adversity, Paul is instead more concerned about how his trials are affecting the faith of others. His passion was maintained on a greater purpose than his own relief. The love for each other that would confirm their retained and established faith in holiness was ever the goal and prayer for those who were growing in their knowledge of Christ.
There will ever be reason to be distracted and diverted from the true purpose that is ours in the love of Christ. This, though, is when the power that is ours in the Spirit can be most effective in keeping our hearts and minds in that love and safe from a failing of faith into despair and discouragement. Rather than withdrawing back into darkness, there is an opportunity to advance boldly into the light of His presence, preserved and prepared for fulfilled purpose.
The passion translation puts a “then” in verse 13, that struck me.
“And may the Lord increase your love until it overflows toward one another and for all people, just as our love overflows toward you. Then your hearts will be strengthened in holiness so that you may be flawless and pure before the face of our God and Father at the appearing of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen!”
Pastor Stephen exhorted us this week on love and this goes right along with what he taught. Our growing and increasing in love does such a huge work within us. It isn’t a little thing by any means. It is a daily challenge and a daily pressing towards this goal to view everything and everyone through love, but it is one that will enable the power of God to work in and through us more than anything else.