The Desired Effect

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your word of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.”  I Thessalonians 1:2-5

Paul was writing to the believers in Thessalonica who had responded to his efforts to bring the gospel to those in a place where the gospel was unknown.  He prayed for these believers always, calling them by name.  They were important to Paul.  All converts under his ministry were like his children.  He likely didn’t know all of them personally, but, as believers, they were all his brothers and sisters in Christ.

He listed three areas in which he was impressed by their lives.  The first was their work of faith.  James wrote that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).  Faith is not something one keeps to oneself, but rather displays his or her faith by using it in not only everyday living, but in times of distress, sorrow, and hardship.  These are the times when faith is most valuable.  Secondly, Paul mentioned their labor of love.  Love really is work.  It requires self-sacrifice and esteeming others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:36).  It requires giving of our time, talents, and treasures.  We love those who are hard to love for Jesus’ sake.

Lastly, Paul indicated that their patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ was commendable.  Patience is not easy.  Sometimes we get impatient when things don’t turn out as we hoped or is taking too long.  However, a believer, who understands that the Lord has His own timetable and will work out His plans which will benefit the believer in ways that may be different than anticipated, is better equipped to have patience.  There is a difference in faith and hope.  Faith is a fact.  It is an assurance that the Lord will provide and honor His promise of peace and comfort, that He will do whatever He has promised.  Hope is a feeling.  It is a desire that something will come to pass which is expected, that is, a favorable outcome.  Hope is merely a wish unless there is faith behind it.  Faith gives hope energy.  There is no doubt within faith but hope alone can be full of doubt.

It was clear to Paul that God had chosen these believers in Thessalonica to be part of His family and to do a work among their community so that others would see their love, joy, and co-operation with one another.  They were “elected” by God to serve Him.  Election is difficult to explain.  God “elects” us to salvation.  In II Peter 3:9, Peter wrote that God has not forgotten His promise to return to earth but is delaying in order to give folks more opportunities to repent and trust in Christ because He doesn’t want anyone to perish but rather to repent and be saved.  Matthew Henry, in his commentary, wrote, “All those who in the fullness of time are effectually called and sanctified were from eternity elected and chosen to salvation”.  The key word in Mr. Henry’s statement is “effectually”.

In my simple and finite mind, I believe that this means that when the Holy Spirit convicts a person of sin and makes them know that they are not right with God, the desired effect upon him or her is to repent and trust Christ.  Since God is omniscient, that is, He knows everything, past, present, and future, He knows, even before a person is conceived in the womb, that he or she will one day repent and trust Christ or will reject the calling to received Him.  Thus, God foreknew all those whom He would pre-determine to be like His Son in righteousness and love (Romans 8:29).  No one has an excuse to reject Christ.  God has given evidence of Himself, His Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Godhead, throughout the world for all generations to see and hear.  He has put a conscience into every person to give each the ability to know right from wrong.  He gave men and women the gift of repentance and faith by His grace, and He gave them Christ, who paid the penalty for their sin.  God was the initiator of salvation.  He made man, man sinned and broke his relationship with his Maker, but God did all the work necessary to restore that relationship purely out of love and mercy by His grace.

Paul had the satisfaction and joy to know that his work among the Thessalonians was not in vain.  They were very receptive to the gospel, and this was a great encouragement to him.  By their response, it was evident that they were part of the elect.  It was the power of the words that he spoke that penetrated their hearts as the Holy Spirit convicted them of sin and brought them into a right relationship with God the Father.  They were open to the gospel.  Why do some folks hear the gospel and receive it, while others hear but reject, ignore, or mock it?  Only God knows.  The folks in Thessalonica had confidence in the words of the gospel, were assured by the presence of the Holy Spirit that what they heard was the truth, and then surrendered their lives to Christ.  Because they saw Paul and his associates live out the truth of the gospel, they were convinced of its validity.  It is vital for all believers to live out what they say they believe in order to serve and honor Christ, but also for the sake of all unbelievers with whom they come in contact.