Unwavering Faith - 3:4-5

The leaning tower of Pisa is famous for 1 reason.

It’s leaning.

The tower is leaning because the foundation was improperly laid.

This tower in Italy now provides a vital lesson to all who see it.

Foundations matter.

When a foundation is properly laid the building erected on top of it can withstand whatever storms life brings.

This holds true for spiritual foundations as well.

In 1 Thessalonians Paul has been telling this collection of believers about his care for them and his concern.

As we get into chapter 3 Paul reveals that he has sent Timothy there to establish and encourage them.

Paul knows that this church is facing affliction for the cause of Christ.

Scripture reveals that affliction, suffering, and persecution are to be expected in our walk with Christ.

The fact that they are expected doesn’t make them any easier.

And so, Paul sent Timothy to help these believers face affliction with unwavering faith.

Look with me at 1 Thessalonians 3:4-5.

1 Thessalonians 3:4–5 ESV

4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

Paul already sent Timothy to the Thessalonians to establish and encourage them because of the affliction they are facing. We find that out in the next few verses.

He now reminds them that affliction is something they had already talked about when he was there.

The way this is worded lets us know that suffering was a repeated theme Paul addressed in his time at Thessalonica.

The idea presented here is that there will be distress and suffering brought to the Thessalonians from an outside force.

Paul states that this suffering “has come to pass”.

The believers in Thessalonica are already enduring affliction.

Because of the suffering they already face, Paul was concerned.

In verse 5, he basically says, “I couldn’t take it anymore! I was so worried about you all that I had to send Timothy.”

We already saw that Paul sent Timothy to encourage and establish them.

He also sent Timothy to discover how they were doing in their walk of faith.

Paul was afraid that they had been led astray.

Why is their faith so important?

Faith is what gives us the ability to stand against the attacks of our enemy, Satan.

Paul refers to him here as the tempter.

From the very beginning, Satan has been tempting God’s people to doubt His goodness, faithfulness, and love.

He did that to Eve in the Garden of Eden and he has been doing it ever since.

We are able to stand against Satan’s attacks only as we have our foundation deeply rooted in Christ and His Word.

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, it was Scripture that Jesus used to answer every temptation.

We must know and believe the truth if we are to stand against the lies Satan tells.

Paul is concerned that the Thessalonians will walk away from the faith.

He is concerned that all the labor he and others have invested in the Thessalonians will be empty if they fall prey to the tempter.

Brothers and sisters in Christ. The tempter is alive and well.

To resist him we need each other. We need the encouragement of the body of Christ!

To resist him, we need faith.

1 Peter 5:8-9 puts it this way.

1 Peter 5:8–9 ESV

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

We resist the temptations of Satan by being firm, steadfast, unwavering in our faith.

Do we have “unwavering” faith?

My prayer is that each and every one of us would strengthen our faith on a daily basis.