RECOGNIZING GOOD CHARACTER
READ 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
The letter comes from ''Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy.'' ''Silvanus'' is just another way to say ''Silas,'' which is his nickname.
You might notice one thing that is glaringly absent from this letter but appears in most of Paul's other letters. He doesn't list his credentials here. You don't see phrases such as, ''apostle of Christ by the will of God'' like he writes in Ephesians, Or ''an apostle not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead...'' as he writes in Galatians, Or even ''a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God...'' as we see in Romans.
He opens with a traditional greeting, ''grace and peace.'' Then, he begins to commend his readers for their character.
This letter is predominantly a letter of affirmation and encouragement.
He writes to a fairly young church, but he writes to encourage them, thank them, and direct them in the way they should go.
Notice his recognition of their character. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” (verse 3).
Paul mentions three things here that highlight the character of these believers. These three elements should be evident and obvious in our lives as well.
A. Faith that endures: ''work of faith...''
Paul was ''constantly...remembering before our God'' their ''work of faith.'' True faith produces a change of heart and a change in action. ''Faith'' must always lead to works (James 2:14-26). It has been said, ''We are not saved by faith plus works, but by a faith that works.'' If the Thessalonians had continued to worship their dead idols while professing faith in the living God, it would have proved that they were not God's children.
B. Love that excels: ''labor of love...''
He is grateful for their ''labor of love.'' The word ''labor'' here means working to the point of exhaustion. They exceled in loving one another.
''Love'' is also an evidence of salvation. Our love for God, for our fellow beavers, and for the lost ought to be evident.
C. Hope that expects: ''patience of hope...''
One of the themes of the New Testament is the hope that we can have for the future. The return of Jesus Christ is the dominant theme of both Thessalonian letters. Faith, hope, and love are evidence of salvation. These spiritual qualities are bound together and can come only from God.
Faith keeps us looking inward, hope keeps us looking upward, and love keeps us looking outward. These are three characteristics that describe the way church people ought to be. We should have a faith that is strong, a hope that is steady, and a love that is sure.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Is your life filled with biblical character? Explain.
2. According to our devotion, what does true faith produce?
3. How might you excel in loving others? How might this love be manifested?
4. How does your future look? Is it filled with glory and grace?