We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, you labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
! Thessalonians 1 v.2-3
Thus Paul writes to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a wonderful description of the church v.1 and what a wonderful testimony to the membership of the church!
Paul looked at the church which he had been privileged to plant and the things that caused him to thank God for them and continually remember them before God were their Faith, their Love and their Hope.
These were however, not just passive characteristics but they motivated their Work, their Labour and their endurance.
Faith, Hope and Love are three beautiful qualities of gospel people and are fruits of the Holy Spirit dwelling in the lives of those people.
The result of these fruits in the lives of the Thessalonian believers was that they ‘became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia’ and that their faith in God became known everywhere as the Lord’s message rang out from them. V.7-8
And challengingly they exhibited these three in spite of severe suffering. v. 6
Paul reminds Timothy that ‘All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
2 Timothy 3 v 16-17
The Thessalonians applied Scripture to every part of their lives, their work, their labour and their hope. Let us be sure that we are following their example resulting in the Lord’s Message ringing out everywhere around us to His glory.