I Thessalonians 3, Compassion

 

I Thessalonians 3, Compassion

Paul was so concerned for this young congregation that he sent Timothy to check out the situation, and to establish and encourage the believers in the faith.  The church was being persecuted, and Paul wanted to make sure that they would hold on to the truth. When Christians are facing difficulties because of their faith, other believers should hold them up in prayer, offering words of compassion and encouragement as they seek to follow God. Paul loved this church. It is not affection or just a nice, comfortable, warm feeling around your heart. Love seeks the welfare of another. That is the way love is expressed for anyone.

Paul called Timothy his brother, a minister of God. His service was the gospel of Christ. His sole mission was to bring the church into a right relationship with God. People today need the same thing. They need to be established in the faith and brought into a close relationship with God. We need to encourage one another.

Paul tells the Thessalonians in his letter that they will have troubles, but they will be temporary, they cannot escape them. He encourages them to stand for the Lord amid their troubles. This same thought is in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, in that you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Just because we are believers does not mean we will escape troubles. There is no insurance policy that covers that. We will go through the storms but remember that God will go through them with us, and we will come out of the storm a better person in a better place. If you are experiencing troubles, whether it be with your health, your family, your friends. If the pressures and tensions of life are on you, then that is a sign that you are a child of God. This is the way that God teaches us to rely on Him. To bring us closer to Him. Another purpose is to test the genuineness of our faith. If we can withstand trouble with faith in God we will survive the test and enjoy life. We cannot lose as Christians. Even if we have trouble, it is going to work out for our good, we can be sure of that. Being a Christian is a wonderful thing!

 

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Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee