Today we close an
awesome week, with the final words of
encouragement of Paul to the Christians in Thessalonica. Paul insists that they
to continue to pray (1 Thes. 5:18) so
that the Word would run freely, without any hindrance. Satan is
number ONE in bringing this to pass, and some people may become discouraged
when facing trials. But a life of prayer
would not only boost their faith, but prepare them to testify and work for His
kingdom. These same words of encouragement are for us, too!
God has promised that His word would be free and perform its work:
“So will My word be which goes out of My
mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without
result), Without
accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for
which I sent (Isa. 55:11). But as with many of God's
promises, we are expected to take this promise in faith, and in prayer ask God
to perform it for His glory!
In verse 2 Paul warns: “ and [pray] that we will
be rescued from perverse and evil men; for
not everyone has the faith.“
(emphasis mine). These were those who
wanted to hinder the work of the gospel. Have you ever been in the situation that some
Christian people you know, don’t’ live
their lives according to God’s precepts
but this world’s standards? I have, and must sadly say: many times!! We might not consider them “evil”, but the
Word does!
Paul continues with this wonderful promise: “But the Lord
is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and
will protect and guard you from the evil one. 4 We
have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to
do the things [which] we command. 5 May the Lord
direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience
of Christ” (AMP)
Yes, our Lord is faithful! Even if not all men have faith,
the Lord is faithful. This was the basis of Paul's confidence in God's
ability to establish and guard us from the evil one.
God promised to keep
Satan on a leash. He will not allow any temptation to become too great for us
(1 Cor. 10:13) and will not allow Satan to do whatever he wants with us (Luke
22:31-32)
Paul warns the
Thessalonians to withdraw from any brother
or sister who walk in disobedience (vs.
6-12,14). "The present tense of the verb walks denotes that it is a deliberate course of action.
Their disorderly conduct is not an occasional lapse but a persistent
practice." (Hiebert)
The purpose in
withdrawing from the disobedient was not so much punishment, but more so simply
to deny them the aid and comfort of the fellowship of the body of Christ until
they repented. The purpose was to bring about repentance and salvation in the
disobedient ones, and not to condemn them.
Paul continues with
words of encouragement: “13 And as for [the rest of] you, [c]believers, do not grow
tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right
without weakening].” Or “be not weary
in well doing”.
(Old KJV).
We find this same encouragement when Paul wrote to
the Galatians:
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in
due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (6:9 KJV) Yes, although we may
find obstacles and trials in our Christian life, we must remember our Father is
Faithful and will not leave us nor forsake us and one day we will be with Him
through eternity!
"But well doing consists in taking down the shutters and selling
your goods; tucking up your shirt sleeves and doing a good day's work; sweeping
the carpets and dusting the chairs, if you happen to be a domestic servant.
Well doing is attending to the duties that arise out of our relationships in
life - attending carefully to them, and seeing that in nothing we are
eye-servers and men-pleasers, but in everything are seeking to serve God."
(Spurgeon).
As with Paul’s final words to
the Thessalonians, I would like to close today’s study with his Benediction: “16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times
in every way. The Lord be with you all.” “ 18 The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (AMP)
Amen!!
Blessings my sisters!!
Mari