For now we live (1 Thess 3:6-13)

Introduction

We serve an invisible but knowable God who tells us to look to him and rely on his strength and power in all circumstances. If we are to be honest with ourselves, sometimes it is hard relying on someone who we cannot see. But that is the essence of serving God faithfully... "Live by faith and not by sight." Nevertheless, God provides us with strength through tangible ways as well. Today, my goal is to glorify God by highlighting how Paul found strength in his ministry through a group of young Christians who were standing firm in the LORD, amid distress and persecution and how we can do the same for one another.

What does God say?

1 Thessalonians 3:6–13 LEB

6 But now, because Timothy has come to us from you and has brought good news to us of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, desiring to see us just as also we desire to see you, 7 because of this, brothers, we have been comforted because of you in all our distress and affliction through your faith, 8 because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we repay to God concerning you, because of all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, 10 night and day praying beyond all measure that we may see your face and complete what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and to abound in love for one another and for all, just as also we do for you, 13 so that your hearts may be established blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

v. 6: Timothy brings good news (evangelizes) about the churches faith and love which includes fond memories and a desire to them again, just as they desire the see them (reciprocated feelings).

v. 7: Because that good new, they are comforted (parakeleo) in all their distress (circumstances of hardship) and persecution (infliction of suffering, injury, or death) through their faith

v. 8: Because of their faith, they now live, if (on the condition) they are standing firm in the LORD. “ζῶμεν is obviously metaphorical here since Paul’s physical existence was not threatened by the possibility that the Thessalonians would abandon their new faith. It implies that Paul derived a sense of strength from the endurance of his converts that enabled him to continue his missionary work in the face of opposition and oppression. If the Thessalonians had renounced their faith, Paul appears to imply, this would have called into question his “life’s work,” as his own personal sacrifices in bringing the gospel of Christ to the Gentiles derived meaning from the existence of his converts as faithful followers of Christ.”

Charles A. Wanamaker, The Epistles to the Thessalonians: A Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1990), 136.

vv. 9-10: They do not look to repay the church but God with thanksgiving, for all the joy received rejoicing in the presence of God because of God’s work in them. What ways are they looking to repay God with thanksgiving for that joy? Praying all the time, an intense prayer, petitioning God to see them face to face and supply what is lacking in their faith (to give them additional understanding).

vv. 11-13: This is a prayer: 1) God and Jesus open a way for them to see them face to face (remember Paul said Satan had hindered them), 2) the LORD cause you to increase and abound in love towards one another and all, just as it was shown to them, and 3) So that you will be found blameless in holiness before God when Jesus comes back with his holy ones (angels).

What do we do?

Seek God for strength in all circumstances

Thank God for the work He does through others

Comfort (encourage) one another through the gospel and living worthy of God

Recite the prayer of thanksgiving