Encouraged by the Faith of others
In 1 Thessalonians 2:7 we find that Paul is encouraged by this good news of the Thessalonians faith.
“For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.” (ESV)
Paul was encouraged, by the faith of his brothers and sisters in Christ. The fact that they remained faithful to the Lord was of encouragement to him. Their faith was an encouragement to him in the midst of the “distress and affliction” they experienced. The word “distress” means “affliction” which is a reference to difficulties that came to them for sharing the gospel. In addition to this, tribulations (“afflictions”) came to oppress them. Both words refer to the tribulations Paul and his team went through in the different places where they shared the gospel.
For Paul, the fact that the “brothers” whom he and his team had led Christ remained faithful to the Lord was of encouragement. This was not only because he loved them, but because their desire was for them to stand firm in the Lord. Their work in their midst was not in vain.
People who work with their hands know that when they complete something there is some joy and satisfaction after it. It’s something that makes us feel good. It helps us see that our work is worth it. Much more is the spiritual area. Investing in people spiritually is invaluable. When believers grow in faith, it gives us encouragement. It makes us feel good. It motivates us to continue faithful and keeps us doing the work God has commanded us to do.
“For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:8
Paul and his team were not only encouraged by the faith of the Thessalonians but were also revived because they remained “firm in the Lord.” The Thessalonians firmness in the Lord motivated Paul and made him feel revitalized or revived. Let us remember that Paul was worried and even perhaps in low spirits for them as he knew nothing of how they were doing spiritually. But the good news of their steadfastness in the Lord he received from Timothy, rekindled him.
This must be the case for all of us. Does it encourage us that other believers are steadfast in the Lord? And does it affect us that other believers are not steadfast in the Lord? It should.
“If you” should be translated “as you are” “standing fast in Lord”. Paul is not questioning but affirming that they were steadfast in the Lord and should remain steadfast in the Lord.
The word “firmness” means “constant or stable”. Consistency or stability in the Lord is necessary to grow spiritually. We cannot move forward without this constancy and stability in Him. This firmness is in “the Lord” not in another person, nor in human efforts. The Bible is clear that an inconsistent person is unstable in all his ways.
The Thessalonians, despite the trials and tribulations they were experiencing, remained steadfast in the Lord. Even after this letter, the Thessalonians continued to experience tribulations but remained steadfast. Paul writes them a second letter praising their faith:
“Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” 2 Thess. 1:4
Our firmness in the Lord encourages others. We should not think that our faith exists only for personal benefit. Our firmness in the Lord helps others, especially at times when not everything is going well in our lives but we remain steadfast. If you are married, your firmness or lack of firmness affects your family. A husband who is not firm in the Lord will not help or encourage his family to follow the Lord. The same goes if the wife isn’t firm in the Lord.
How can we stand firm, constant, stable in the Lord? Seeking Him and knowing Him more. The more we know Him, the closer we are to Him, the more dependent on Him we’ll be. We also need to create spiritual habits to seek the Lord daily through prayer and personal study of Scripture, and we need others to help us. This is what we call discipleship. This is our mission as the church.
How are you staying constant and firm in the Lord? Is your life in Christ firm and steadfast and worthy to be imitated by others?
