In 1 Thessalonians, we see the beating heart of the Apostle Paul for his fast friends, the Gentile Christians in Thessalonica. While he had spent only three weeks in the city, God planted seeds of a deep fellowship in the Gospel: "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction." (1:4,5) The Thessalonians had quickly become co-laborers in Christ: "We continually remember before our God and Father you work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1:3)
Through Paul's short-term mission to Thessalonica, we may sense the awesome power of the Holy Spirit, even given the short timeframe. The new believers had become a living testimony to the regions around them: "You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia -- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead -- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." (1:6-10)
Yet, Paul recognized that he had been unable to pass along important messages to the Thessalonians and took great care to touch upon watchfulness, as evidenced by his frequent descriptions of the last days (eschatology), in both 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. Indeed, each chapter of 1 Thessalonians includes a reference to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus. Paul urges the young Christians to live in eager anticipation of Christ's return, remaining steadfast to the Gospel. One key outcome involves seeking purity in the minds and bodies: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him." (4:3-6a) Greek culture, not unlike today's American culture, had highly sensual elements, even surrounding their idol worship. New Greek believers would have struggled with separating from these cultural elements. Yet, God had set them free from slavery to sin, and they had willingly become "slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:18-23)
Like the Thessalonians, we will do well to remember Paul's exhortation to remain vigilant, "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." (5:2) Elaborating further, Paul explains:
"But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Our encouragement to our friends in the Lord is not merely a question of brightening another's spirits, but further includes a spurring on towards love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24) As the author of Hebrews indicates, we should "encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." (3:13) Asking the difficult questions and focusing others on God's presence reaps eternal rewards.
QUESTIONS
1. How can you embrace watchfulness in your own life? What should you stop doing? Continue doing? Start doing?
2. Whom could you encourage this week in the faith? Perhaps you could call or text them with a verse that may speak into their life from our reading.
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