The
church at Thessalonica was founded by Paul during his second missionary
journey. Paul and his companions had established the church in Thessalonica but
were forced to leave by opponents of the gospel.
In
spite of intense persecution, the Christians in Thessalonica were standing firm
in the faith. They faced typical struggles against things such as idolatry and
sexual immorality, and doctrinal issues about the end times. Paul's primary
purpose for writing the epistle was to encourage, comfort and strengthen the
church. He also answered some of their questions and corrected a few
misconceptions about the resurrection and Christ's return. Generally, the
apostle was full of thankfulness for this church (verse 2). What he remembered
most were their work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in Christ
Jesus (verse 3).
1.
Work Of Faith
The
work that has been produced as a result of one’s faith. The Word of God makes
it clear that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
2.
Labour Of Love
Labour
prompted by love. You ask: What is the difference between work produced by
faith and labour prompted by love?
Work
of Faith are works that demonstrate one has faith in God. In spite of severe
persecutions, the early Christians went about preaching the word; that is work
of faith (Acts 8:4). Our labour in the church is demonstration of our faith in
God. Our attendance, perseverance and how earnest we are in teaching someone
the gospel shows our faith.
The
word translated labour carries the implication of pain or toil, sacrifice and
hard effort. While work of Faith is towards God, the labour of Love is towards
men. It is about a labour or sacrifice that is prompted by love because God is
love (1 John 4:8). The Christian who loves God will love his brethren too (1
John 4:21). The result of this love is the Christian is serving one another
(Galatians 5:13).
3.
Patience of Hope
This
is endurance inspired by hope. The Christian race needs endurance: “Yea, and
all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2
Timothy 3:12). What keeps the Christian going in spite of persecutions? It is
his hope in Jesus Christ. Hope, in a Christian context, is a confident
expectation, not the unfounded optimism we often mean by the word. The
Scripture says this hope we have is “an anchor of the soul, both sure and
stedfast,” (Hebrews 6:19).
An
anchor holds a ship when the waves beat and the wind blows, and as long as the
anchor holds, the ship is safe. So it is with the Christian’s hope. The hope of
eternal life is the soul’s anchor. The world is the boisterous and dangerous
sea. In the tempests and trials of life, the hope keeps the soul steady and
immovable. It is this surest hope that keeps the faith going strong.
When
life seems to be pressing in on all sides, we have the promise of God that one
day we will be freed from this world and its corruption and enter into the
heavenly home (Revelations 21:4). Surely we can press on in this service to our
King knowing that we will have eternity with Him in His glory.
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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