Topic: Gospel in Action
The gospel transformed many lives in Thessalonica. Paul recalls how Jewish and Gentile people turned from ancestral beliefs to personal faith in Christ. Such conversions were bound to be controversial. Decisions to leave the faith of our fathers (and mothers) seldom sound like good news to families, friends and co-workers. But these Thessalonians gave their world something to talk about. Their lives gave substance to the faith, hope and love of Jesus.
Evidence of the gospel in action: (I Thessalonians 1:3)
1. Work of Faith
First, Paul mentions their continued “work of faith.” Salvation is God’s gift. Faith rests upon the work of God, not our work. Yet, when we rest on God’s work, God produces His work in us. Paul blesses these believers because of the works that followed their faith. Encouragement is found in the lives that we live.
Paul commends the Thessalonian believers for their "work produced by faith." This phrase gives us an insight into the transformative power of faith. It is not a passive belief but an active force that produces work. It is the fuel that drives us to serve, to give, to love and to persevere in the face of trials. It is the catalyst that transforms our lives from the inside out, aligning our thoughts, actions and desires with God's will.
2. Labor of Love
Paul commends the Thessalonians for their "labor prompted by love." This phrase indicates that love isn't just about warm feelings but about action. It's about laboring, working and serving others out of love. It's about putting others' needs before our own, just as Christ did for us. Love in the Christian life is sacrificial, selfless and service-oriented.
Moreover, love is the distinguishing mark of a Christian. Jesus Himself said in John 13:35, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Love is the evidence of our faith, the proof that we have been transformed by the grace of God. It's through our love for others that the world sees Christ in us.
However, it's important to remember that this kind of love is not something we can muster up on our own. It's a fruit of the Spirit, as Galatians 5:22 tells us. It's the result of God's Spirit working in us and through us. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
3. Steadfastness of Hope
The hope of the Christian life is not a wishful thinking or a blind optimism. It is a confident expectation based on the promises of God. In verse 3, Paul speaks of the Thessalonians' "endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." This hope was not a vague, undefined optimism, but a sure and certain expectation rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The Thessalonians' hope was not just for this life, but for the life to come. This hope was not a private, individualistic hope, but a corporate, communal hope. The Thessalonians were not just individual believers with individual hopes, but a community of believers with a shared hope. This hope bound them together, united them in purpose, and propelled them forward in their mission. The Thessalonians were not just waiting for Jesus to return but were actively serving the living and true God. This hope was not just a future destination, but a present journey.
Faith, love and hope are not just mere words or concepts. They are powerful realities that shape our lives, our actions and our anticipation for what is yet to come.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem