Last time I shared with you from 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 with a focus on the Christian being destined for affliction. Today I am sharing from 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 with a focus on the Christian abounding in love. These sound like two completely incompatible themes. But, if you have walked with Christ for very long you will recognize how the two are related in the Christian life. God’s Word describes for us the divine intention the Lord has in sanctifying those whom he has chosen for salvation (Rom. 8:28-29). This process involves affliction and love. The affliction is designed by the Lord to produce greater Christlikeness, which will involve abounding in love for our fellow believers and all people in general.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:6, Paul informs the Thessalonian saints that Timothy has returned with the news of their spiritual fruit. Remember, we learned earlier in this letter that Paul was unable to return to Thessalonica so Timothy was sent instead (3:1-2). There was concern that the church in Thessalonica would falter in the face of opposition from unbelievers and Satan himself (3:3-5). Paul was greatly encouraged to learn that Thessalonian brothers and sisters were strong in their faith and love. The Spirit of God was continuing to complete the good work that he had begun in them (1 Thess. 5:24).
Timothy also reported that the church in Thessalonica thought well of Paul and his co-laborers. The church longed to see them just as Paul and his team longed to see the church. Remember, Paul and his team had shared their own lives with the believers in Thessalonica (2:8). Their ministry was personal. The bond we share as believers in Christ is personal. It exceeds the bond that we share with friends and family who are unbelievers.
Since Paul and his fellow gospel workers heard of the vibrant faith of the believers in Thessalonica they were greatly comforted (7). Paul and his team were still experiencing, “distress and affliction” themselves. This is an important reminder, we will all face trials and opposition because of our relationship with Christ (2 Tim. 3:1, 10-12). It wasn’t just the experience of the Christians in Thessalonica. It wasn’t just the experience of Paul and his co-workers. It will be our experience as well. The Lord Jesus taught, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:18-19).
The news of the Thessalonians’ growing faith led to Paul’s statement in verse eight. He is not speaking of physical life. Though experiencing great distress and affliction, Paul and his fellow gospel workers were still very much alive. What the apostle means is the good report of the spiritual wellbeing of the Thessalonian church “revived” them. Any anxiety or concern over the condition of their faith had been dispelled. Timothy’s report brought them relief. Believers “Standing fast in the Lord” means holding fast to their hope in the gospel (cf. Col. 1:21-23) and adhering to God’s Word (cf. 1 John 5:1-3). The Christian faith and maturity of the Thessalonians caused Paul to be relieved, revived, and to overflow with thanksgiving (9). The apostle and his co-workers experienced great joy from the church in Thessalonica. God had miraculously saved and transformed these men and women. Furthermore, they were persevering in their faith. This news would encourage any Pastor or Church Planter.
At the time of Paul’s writing, he and his team had not yet been able to reunite with the Thessalonian church (10). This led them to pray continually for the opportunity to see the saints in-person once more for purpose of discipling them further (cf. Matt. 28:20a; Col. 1:28; Eph. 4:11-16). When someone repents and believes the gospel, he or she becomes a disciple. This is the beginning of the believer’s sanctification. The Holy Spirit works out the process of transforming the believer. It will culminate one day in glory with the saint being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29; Eph. 4:13). Paul and his co-laborers know the Thessalonians need further equipping.
Paul finishes off this section by expressing his and his co-workers’ request to the Lord that they see the Thessalonians in-person once more(11). Their prayer is directed to the Father and the Son. The members of the Triune Godhead cooperate in the directing of God’s people for his glory and their good. The apostle expresses his desire for the Lord to prosper the Thessalonians in their love for one another and all people (12). Christian love is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22a) and is clear evidence of being born again (1 John 4:7). Paul and his ministry partners have this same Christian love toward the church at Thessalonica. Again, this is evidence of knowing Christ and being indwelt by the Spirit of God.
As a result of abounding in Christian love, Paul asks that the Lord would cause the Thessalonian saints to be, “Blameless in holiness” before the Father when the Lord Jesus returns with all his saints. Scripture clearly teaches that salvation is a supernatural work of God (Eph. 2:8-10). It also teaches that sanctification is a supernatural work of God (Rom. 8:28-29). The Lord causing the Thessalonian church to abound in Christian love would be part of how he would, “Establish [their] hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father.” Christian love for fellow believers and for all people is part and parcel of being a true believer who is living in obedience to God’s Word. Christian love is essential for Christian holiness.
My prayer is that you would be challenged in your Christian life to increase and abound in love for your fellow believers and for all people so you may stand blameless in holiness before the Lord one day.