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. And ye became followers
of us, and the Lord, having received
the work in much affliction, with joy
of the Holy Ghost; so that ye were
examples to all that believe in
Macedonia and Achaia.
1Thessalonians 1:5-7
Paul in writing to the Thessalonian Church did so to aid them to remain in the truth once delivered to them, and this was to those Jews who converted to Christianity, and to the Gentiles as well. This Church was a Christian Church, not due to some antics, or speaking in some gibberish language, or doing any other thing, they were a Christian Church because they believed in God the Father and in Jesus Christ the Lord. Because of their faith even under tribulations they convinced that the Lord Jesus Christ was the purchaser of all good things for the Children of God. Hope is not a pure hope that hopes in things other than that which comes from God in Jesus Christ. The hope that is true, pure, is a hope that expects fro God the best good for God is Good.
To pray without ceasing is not to hide yourself secluded in some manner and just speak words in prayer. This may be good for a moment of time, but prayer that is unceasing is for a person to be in the attitude of prayer at all times. It is not always by our words, it is also by our grateful sense of God's goodness that is to be upon our minds. We pray not just for ourselves, but for others, for our friends, family, and do mention them in our prayers when called to mind by the Holy Spirit, or that a person has asked for prayer. This attitude and pragmatic use of prayer will bring comfort in your own faith and the faith of others. Prayer done correctly according to the will of God as outlined in His word give grounds and reasons for your thanksgiving.
Paul praised the Thessalonian Church due to their faith, and their work of faith. True faith, not some drummed up faith by some sort of group euphoria, or by some excited preaching that is not the true Gospel, rather, a true faith that brings with it an influence both to the heart and the mind. Paul mentions their love and their labor of love. It is the responsibility of an Authentic Christian to exercise the love of God to others, especially those who are members or your Church. Paul mentions their hope, and their patience of hope, a hope that has as its foundation a well-grounded hope of eternal life. This patient hope is able to bear the trials and afflictions that come upon a person. Paul then mentions that the Object and the efficient Cause of these graces is the Lord Jesus Christ. God's eye is always upon His children and when we keep our eye on God then a sign of sincerity will be manifested, and you will be endeavoring to approve yourself before God. Paul mentions this endeavoring when he wrote to the Church at Philippi: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).The writer in the book of Hebrews wrote: "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Hebrews 6:10).
The Gospel came to the Thessalonians as it has come to you and the Gospel came with assurance and they continued in the faith by the power of the Holy Spirit. Not that they had to display this power of the Holy Spirit as some teach, i.e., slain in the spirit, falling over in some gyrations that are more like an epileptic, speaking wildly in shouts of euphoric intonations as though God was pleased with all this. No! God is not pleased with such outward intentional display. God is pleased when He operates in a person so that person lives according to His commands, and precepts, living a life of purity. It is this life that breaks through all the hinderances that hold a person back from receiving the truth and allows that person to make the needed sacrifices so that they will follow Jesus Christ and have the assurance of eternal life.
We who have received this assurance have the privilege to bring the Gospel to others. Pray that God will use you and listen carefully to that small still voice that leads you. Read His word. Apply His word to your life. Now you have influence upon others that you may never come to know. God wants to use you, all you have to do is make yourself available.
Whoever invokes a blessing
in the land will do so by
the God of truth; he who
takes an oath in the land
will swear by the God of truth.
for the past troubles will be
forgotten.
Isaiah 65:16
As A Child Of God: You Are Blessed
Richard L. Crumb
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