Much remains to be written after my last blog entry and today I want to start afresh as an individual seeking Bible truths not as someone who agreed to do it with someone else for the sake of doing it. Working out my own salvation here!
1 Thessalonians is a Pauline letter to the people of Thessalonica for the purpose of encouraging the church, correcting false accusations, giving comfort during persecution, expressing much joy in increasing faith, reminding of the vitality of pure living, condemning unholy lifestyle, abolishing church tensions and going back to the basics of Christianity. (John MacArthur 2000)
Paul was one of the most celebrated intellectuals in the Bible. Although mighty in thoughts, speech and actions, he remained humble and faithful to Him.
1Thessalonians 2:4
But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.
In chapter 2, he commended the Thessalonians for receiving the gospel appropriately.
1 Thessalonians 2:13-14
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus.Chapter 3 expresses Paul's concern over the Christians of Thessalonica. He sent Timothy to further minister to them and much joy was felt by the apostle when Timothy came back with good news. Being encouraged with their faith, Paul prayed:
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Apostle Paul exhorted about living in purity, calling to love the brothers and sisters in Christ and live orderly lives. He also talked about the comfort given in times of mourning and the promise that comes with it in chapter 4:
1 Thessalonians 4:4, 7 - that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor... For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:9, 11-12 - But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another... that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
1 Thessalonians 4:14, 17 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
Chapter 5 reminds the Thessalonians about the day of the Second Coming when the Lord will come unexpectedly, therefore they (and we) must always be well-prepared, keeping watch and being sober. In the latter verses, Paul continuously reminded them about the basics of Christian living and ended with a benediction.
1 Thessalonians 5:2, 8 - For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
- Rejoice always
- Pray without ceasing
- In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- Do not quench the Spirit.
- Do not despise prophecies.
- Test all things; hold fast what is good.
- Abstain from every form of evil.
