So we continue our journey through 1 Thessalonians starting at chapter 2v17 up to the end of chapter 3. Rich claims that v17 of chapter 2 leads into chapter 3, but I reckon he just can’t stomach a whole chapter at once :-).

So this passage begins with Paul recalling a bit of what has been going on with him over the past few years. Paul visited the Thessalonians and preached the message there but due to persecution by the Jewish authorities there Paul fled to Berea. He was also persecuted there and so fled to Athens and while he was there he sent Timothy back to the Thessalonians to see how they were doing. Paul was worried that they may have lost their faith due to the persecution but Timothy sends back a really encouraging report about what is going on - which really makes Paul chuffed.

There are two things that strike me about this passage. The first is Paul in verse 10 where he says that he is “longing to come back to supply what is lacking in their faith”. At first I thought that was a little arrogant - ’surely Paul should be directing them to God, not trying to supply what they are lacking himself’ I thought, but when you consider Paul’s heart in the matter I don’t think there is anything arrogant about it at all. The people of Thessalonica where confused about some matters such as the second coming (we’ll see more about this in chapter 4) and Paul’s heart is to encourage them in the new life they are striving in and doesn’t want them to be hindered by getting bogged down in untruth. Paul is a natural encourager and he recognises his gifts and prays earnestly to God that he can get the oppurtunity to encourage these people. I think we can all learn something from Paul’s attitude here - if we have hearts that understand the giftings that God has placed on our lives and pray to get the oppurtunity to use them then I believe we are doing what we are created to do and God’s kingdom is furthered. So if you are an encourager, pray for oppurtunities to encourage people; if you are a teacher, pray for oppurtunities to teach people - not in an arrogant “I’ve got what they need” way, but in a “God you’ve given me this ability, let me use it for Your glory” way.

The second thing is the example of the people of Thessalonica. They are new to the faith and are being persecuted - but yet they remain strong in their faith and put God first. I think this is a key message to all of us who have been Christians for a while. It is very easy to remain excited about Church and about what God is doing at the time of renewal or blessing - but when certain stuff hits a certain fan, that is when real faith kicks in and our faith gets a testing. It is really key in my mind to:

  • Keep clothing ourselves in holiness,
  • Keep immersing ourselves in God’s word
  • Keep the communication lines to God open.

That way we can stand on God’s two feet and grow in our faith - even when it would be really easy to let it slide. The amazing thing about God is that He is the same during our time of blessing as He is in our time of hurting - His love never ends and never changes - and if we keep at these things then we will realise this more and more.