Daily Writing

Monday, 19 June 2017

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

The words “our gospel” don’t indicate that it is a gospel formulated by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, but that it is the true gospel which was first preached by them to those at Thessalonica. This occurrence is noted in Acts 17:1-3 –

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”

It is this gospel of Jesus which “did not come to you in word only.” These men came to Thessalonica with the intent of sharing the message of Jesus Christ, and they did it with words. This is the way in which the gospel is transmitted. It is a message which must be conveyed in order for others to understand. In the case of Thessalonica though, it came with more than just words, “but also in power.” The word is dunamis, a Greek word which, in this sense, gives the idea of efficacy. It had the ability to perform what was presented by converting the minds and souls of those who heard it.

There is no reason to assume that “power” here indicates physical manifestations of conversion. As seen from the citation above, they “reasoned with them from the Scriptures.” The power to convert was found in the word, “and in the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit is the Source of the word, and He is the one who makes the word understandable to those who hear it, converting them and sealing them when the word is believed. This conversion is a demonstration of the Spirit. When a person sees the complete change in another, they realize that it was more than just a personal choice, but a truly miraculous event. The sex-addict, the drunkard, the morally perverse… these people become a witness to the power of the Holy Spirit when they have a complete break from the path they were on because of hearing and receiving the gospel message.

Paul then says that the gospel also came “in much assurance.” When the message was heard, there was no doubt. The changes were sufficient to provide complete assurance that the power of God is truly found in the gospel message. It is a mystery which, when revealed in the longing human soul, has the ability to fully convert and completely convince. This message was presented by these men, not as a con-game or a scam, but – as Paul says – “as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”

Their lives and actions substantiated that what they spoke was true. They didn’t just preach the gospel, they also lived it out. They were interested in saving souls for Christ, not getting rich off of Him. They were industrious, dedicated, and sincere. The very fact that Paul continued his outreach to them after he had gone (meaning in letter), shows that his concern for them was true. His letters to them, and to all of the churches, show that he desired that they would remember the gospel, be firm in their convictions, and grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Such actions as these proved that he, and those with him, were not deceivers. Instead, they were sincere messengers of the most marvelous news of all.

Life application: What a shame people look for the sensational side of religion. Whether it is a crazy analysis of a passage (such as looking for aliens or UFOs in certain verses), or whether it is to fawn over someone who claims to have powers to heal or speak in garbled tongues that only he understands, it is not a sound way of approaching one’s theology. Rather, God’s demonstration of power is grounded in reality, and it is evidenced in converted lives which are holy, sound, reasonable, and dedicated to Jesus Christ. Let us live out our Christian walk in such a manner so that we too will be responsible bearers of this marvelous message.

Lord God, help us to depart from sensational theology which does nothing to convert the soul. Instead, help us to be properly grounded in Your word which is, all by itself, a demonstration of Your power. It is fully sufficient to convert the most vile sinner into a saint. Help us to act reasonably and in accord with this word; so that others may see our actions and be willing to taste Your word, see that it tells of You, and find that You are indeed good! To Your glory we pray, Amen.

Sunday, 18 June 2017

…knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 1 Thessalonians 1:4

The translation of the NKJV (which follows after the KJV) is completely wrong. It should read “…knowing, brothers beloved by God, your election…” The words, “by God” are tied to “beloved,” not “election.” As Vincent’s word studies accurately states, “neither here nor elsewhere in the N.T. is there any warrant for the revolting doctrine that God has predestined a definite number of mankind to eternal life, and the rest to eternal destruction. The sense in this passage appears to be defined by the succeeding context. The Thessalonians had been chosen to be members of the Christian church, and their conduct had justified the choice.”

In other words, the translation which ties “by God” to “election” is intended to support the Calvinist belief that God has pre-elected all who will be saved. To them, only those will be saved, and the others He has pre-elected to be destroyed; free will is not involved in the process. As Vincent notes, this is a revolting doctrine. It also cannot be supported by a right dividing of the word of God.

Rather, Paul says to those at Thessalonica, “knowing, brothers beloved by God…” He is stating that they are beloved by God because they have come to God through Christ. God knew this would occur, but it does not negate the fact that it occurred. God granted them the choice, they chose, and God saved. From there, Paul mentions “your election.” This is tied into “knowing.” They know their election because they have called on Christ. This is what John 3:16 shows will happen, this is what Paul’s letters say will happen, and this is how it works. When a person freely believes in Christ, they become the elect of God.

Life application: John 3:16 does not say, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever is pre-elected by God, is regenerated in order to believe, and then believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” No, it does not say this. If you are separated from God, call on Christ, be forgiven of your sins, and be reconciled to your heavenly Father.

Lord God, thank You for the wonderful gift of free-will. You have allowed us to choose what path we will follow. It allows us to choose Your glory or to reject it. For all who choose You, through our Lord Jesus Christ, there is salvation and eternal joy set before us. What can the world do to us then? We have overcome the world through Him! Hallelujah to You, O God, for our Lord Jesus. Amen.

Saturday, 17 June 2017

…remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 1 Thessalonians 1:3

Paul now details what is specifically included in the prayers concerning those at Thessalonica that he referred to in the previous verse. He says they are “remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope.”

These are the three tenets which he beautifully wrote about to the Corinthians – faith, hope, and love. Each of these is in the genitive, and so they, as noted by Charles Ellicott, are “almost equivalent to a very emphatic adjective.” In other words, “work of faith” would equate to “faithful activity.” In this it is a kind of work which is “characterized by faith and promoted by faith” (Ellicott). “Labor of love” would equate to “loving labor.” It is a labor worked out because of, and for the sake of, love. And “patience of hope” would equate to “hopefully patient.” It is a patience which is grounded in hope, and which is continuously nurtured by that same hope.

Each of these traits is in those at Thessalonica, as Paul says, “in our Lord Jesus Christ.” What is more appropriate is “of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In all three of these traits, Jesus is the object, not the subject. We have the hope of our Lord in our work of faith. We have hope of our Lord in our labor of love, and we have hope of our Lord in our patience of hope. Because He came, because He is with us, and because He is coming again, we have this hope, fully and completely.

Finally, he notes that our hope of the Lord Jesus Christ is “in the sight of our God and Father.” This means basically “before,” or “in the presence of.” Because of our hope in Christ, the attentive eyes of our heavenly Father are upon us. He is pleased to have a relationship with us once again because of the merits of Christ. He is our Redeemer and Mediator, and so in Him and through Him, we are brought into the very presence of God.

Life application: Paul’s words of this verse show us that our works are to be works of faith in order to be pleasing to God. Any work not done in faith will not be credited to our account of heavenly rewards. Every work, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, will be credited to us if it is done in faith. In all ways, and at all times, our walk with the Lord comes down to faith. We are saved by faith, we are justified by faith, and our works are credited to our account when done in faith.

Lord God, help us to be people of faith. Despite what the religions of the world say, including many supposed Christian groups, our standing of righteousness before You is one of faith alone – apart from any works of righteousness. And our works will only be credited for rewards if they are works of faith. Your word tell us that faith, and faith alone, is what makes us pleasing in Your sight. And so Lord, grant us faith – even as small as a mustard seed – and we will go forth with that! Great are You, O God. Amen.

Friday, 16 June 2007

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 1 Thessalonians 1:2

This is a greeting which, even if slightly amended for the occasion, is common to Paul’s letters. In some letters, the stress is on the thanks, in others it is on the prayers. It is rather close to the words of Colossians 1:3 –

“We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,”

However, when he wrote his letter to the Thessalonians, he noticeably gives thanks “to God” rather than “to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He has already carefully placed Christ Jesus within the Godhead in the previous verse, and so the thanks are obviously to Him as much as they are to the Father. Therefore, Paul combines the two into the simpler term “God.”

Here he notes that he, Silvanus, and Timothy “give thanks to God always for you all. These thanks are lifted to God, who is both Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As always, his wording highlights the deity of Christ. There is the human Jesus, and there is the Christ of God, being God. He is the Lord Jesus Christ who issues from God the Father, and who dwells with the Father in the Godhead. It is to this God that their thanks are directed at this point.

In their thanks, he then notes that they are “making mention of you in our prayers.” Paul’s idea of “praying without ceasing,” which he will state later in this epistle, is evident in words such as these. Whenever the thought of one of his beloved churches came to mind, he and those with him would utter forth a prayer to God on its behalf. When they talked about one of the churches, they would probably issue forth a quick prayer of both thanks and petition for it. To them, praying was certainly a normal extension of their regular lives and conversations.

Life application: God already knows the end from the beginning. His plan is also complete in His mind. Despite this, we should not have a fatalistic view of life where we ignore prayers. Instead, God figures our prayers into the plan, just as our free-will calling on Jesus is figured into the plan. If we don’t receive Jesus, we will not be saved. Likewise, prayers that are not uttered are not heard. God’s foreknowledge of all things outside of time factors in our actions within the stream of time. Pray!

Heavenly Father, one of the beautiful things You have granted to us is the opportunity to pray. When we open our hearts to You, You hear and respond according to Your grace and mercy. And because we have Jesus as our Mediator between our prayers and Your ears, we can know that those prayers which are offered through Him are acceptable to You. And so, as we offer them to You in His name, hear and respond according to Your wisdom. Thank You that our prayers are heard because of Him. Amen.