Bible Reading: Isaiah 41 & 42: 1 Thessalonians 1
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father” 1Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV)
In his opening address to the Thessalonian church, Paul, in admonishing, them called to remembrance the believers work of faith, labour of love and patience of hope in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is important that we consider the background of the Thessalonian brethren/church for us to have a good understanding of Apostle Paul’s statement as espoused in the above scriptural verse. The people of Thessalonica were noted idol worshippers with their fetish believes. They have practiced and lived with this believe as a very notable city of paganism which made them hard nuts to crack for evangelism. Surprisingly, those who believed the gospel of Christ among them demonstrated uncommon zeal which Paul duly recognized, despite the much affliction they suffered. 1 Thessalonians 1: 8(KJV), “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not speak anything”
The believers work of faith encompasses turning from idolatry to serving the living God, forsaking the old fetish believes and putting trust on God and His word. It means holding on to God’s word and living and obeying it. It amounts to read, study and meditating on the word of God in order to receive approval from God. It is this faith that enables us overcome the fiery darts of the enemy. This faith comes through the word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17 (KJV). Labour of love is serving God in reciprocation of His love showered upon us. Loving God with all our heart. It is to serve the living and true God unconditionally and fervently. Patience of hope is to wait for the Son of God from heaven. It involves patiently waiting upon the Lord without wavering. The scriptures admonish us that “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise” Hebrews 10:36(KJV). Our patience of hope guarantees our receipt of divine promises. It involves putting trust on God’s promises and waiting patiently for it.
Faith, love and hope are interwoven virtues a Christian must possess like the Thessalonica brethren for effectiveness in our Christian journey. If we truly love God from our heart we will believe in whatever He says and whom He is. When we love God we trust Him and will be patient hoping for the materialization of His promise. God’s promises are not just promises but they are divine instrument for our transformation and translation. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
Prayer: Father, engrace me to have faith in You and Your word and to love You from the depth of my heart while patiently hoping on the manifestation of Your promises in my life.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo