4/17 Crumbs from the Master's Table

The work of faith...

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;” (v. 3)

The Lord, through Paul, commended the Thessalonians for three basic services: Their “work of faith”; their “labor of love”; and their “patience of hope”. I wonder how we all would measure up in these areas? First though look at the first few words of our verse, Paul prayed “without ceasing” as he later urges them to do (1 Thess. 5:17). “Without ceasing” is constant prayer. Paul kept them in remembrance, because, even though they were commended for doing right, they needed prayer to maintain, as we also do. Let’s look now at the three works of the Thessalonians, and the testimony that was resultant from them:
The first was a “work of faith”: this entails a life that is steeped in faithfulness, and a church that is in one accord. The individual lives of each of them collectively, made a great and honorable “work of faith” for the Lord. They were an active, working church.
Secondly, they were commended for their “labor of love” which shows a charitable spirit. The Lord’s work is indeed a “labor of love” and is performed in love when applied correctly. It takes a lot of love to continue in the work of the Lord. Without a loving spirit, the preacher would never make it, he would not be the success he should be, or could be.
This is very closely linked with the “patience of hope” which is the third work that the Lord commends them for. You see, patience is love stretched out. This patience refers to the patience of our great hope, that the Lord is coming back. We are to work until He comes, and not grow impatience with Him, but also there is a more fleshly aspect to their patience, that being, patience with men. It takes a loving patience to deal with the problems that come our way at times, and with people ion general. Not everyone is of the kind nature that they should be. We owe every man a certain degree of kindness, and it takes patience to exercise it many times. In fact, this entire chapter speaks of the good works of the Thessalonians.

There is another interesting trilogy in this chapter, and it may be directly linked to the three previously mentioned: “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (v. 5). The Gospel came in word; in power; and in assurance, rather “much” assurance, by the Holy Ghost. It came with the backing of God Himself.