1 Thessalonians 1
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
I think we too often take for granted the greetings of each letter (epistle), whether written by Paul or Peter or the others, as being just the standard "Hello, this is (Paul) writing to you the saints. Grace and Peace to you from God, etc," and I sometimes hurry past this to get to the "meat" of the letter. Almost all the letters (epistles) have the same general greeting, AND salutation. However it is far from a standard "form" greeting or salutation, unlike today's "How you doin'?" - which lacks so much sincerity. It is a very loving, sincere, compassionate expression of acknowledgment. And in the end, a salutation with an exhortation to "greet one another with a holy kiss". But I guess it is too archaic for us today... as some compromisingly believe.
Here we have Paul and Silvanus and Timothy humbly introducing themselves as the writers, not in condescension, but in preference of love. Affectionately greeting and proudly acknowledging "the church" of the Thessalonians. Giving due honor and reverence to God the Father and the Lord Jesus for having accomplished this mystery miracle whose sustenance and subsistence is in them. Always in prayerful thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6) for the saints. But what are they thankful about? They give thanks to God…because the work is His. It is His Grace that worked in their lives... and now ours. The apostle gives thanks to God for His love which bestows His Grace (undeserved favor) on His elect. The Glory and Honor is His, all His! Paul mentions with praise their "work of faith" - their outward evidence of inward convictions (conversion)… their labor of love - which is our living sacrifice, (Rom. 12:1) service in love to God (sanctification)… and for their patience of hope in Christ - waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus (redemption). All in the sight of God's approving Grace (justification).
4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Here in verse 4, Paul introduces the doctrine of "Election".What we must first absolutely understand AND accept about "Election" (as it applies to God's dealing with man) is that Election is a Sovereign act of God, apart from any circumstance, influence, or (in our case) merit. Election is established by God's own Divine Counsel and proceeds from His Divine Will. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will. Eph. 1:11
Now…in an effort to reinforce our understanding of this Sovereign doctrine, let me share a few verses to help us accept it:
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" Rom. 9:20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they (the ungodly) are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Rom. 1:20-21
Christ died for the ungodly. Rom. 5:6
And he (Moses) said, "I beseech thee, shew me thy glory." And God said, "I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy." Ex. 33:18-19
And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, "The LORD (Jehovah), The LORD God (Jehovah Elohim), merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation" Ex. 34:6-7
God proclaims His own Name, Jehovah Elohim, "We (plural) the Powerful, Covenant Redeemer, the Merciful and the Just. Man is without excuse.
God "elected" Israel out of the nations. Not because they were deserving above all others, but because God "chose" them…pure and simple. We should have no argument or discussion about it. God is, and God does. Let us not be arrogant and question. Through Israel, His mercy was, and is available to all. Israel was to be "the body" through which the world might be redeemed. Not all Jews were automatically "saved" because they were Jews. They individually had to come to the "saving faith". Some would refuse. Others, Gentiles, would be made Jews.
For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children. Rom. 9:6-7
Abraham, the first called, the father of Israel, was basically what we would call today, a Syrian. Why was he chosen? Because he was a descendant from the godly line of Adam.
For me, it is easily reconciled. God "elected" to redeem "a body" out of the corrupt world, to sanctify it for His own purpose. Sanctification is a complex concept. It basically means the separation from evil things and ways; set apart as, or declare, holy...to consecrate. God basically said to Abraham, "I separate you out from the rest of humanity to serve Me, and all that follow you will be sanctified in you... for Me." And, of course, Abraham agreed. All who reject the call, of course, are not sanctified.
[This sanctification is God's will for the believer, 1 Thess. 4:3, and His purpose in calling him by the gospel, 1 Thess. 4:7; it must be learned from God, 1 Thess. 4:4, as He teaches it by His Word, John 17:17,19; cp. Ps. 17:4; 119:9, and it must be pursued by the believer, earnestly and undeviatingly, 1 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 12:14. For the holy character, hagiosune, 1 Thess. 3:13, is not vicarious, i.e., it cannot be transferred or imputed, it is an individual possession, built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the Word of God, and of following the example of Christ, Matt. 11:29; John 13:15; Eph. 4:20; Phil. 2:5, in the power of the Holy Spirit, Rom. 8:13; Eph. 3:16.] ~Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Ultimately, to be presented Holy. First Israel, for Himself... and the Church, as a Bride for Christ. WE MUST COME TO THAT INDIVIDUALLY THOUGH! This is in itself another unique study which I don't think we want to get into here and now.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
In these, the remainder of the verses in chapter one, I see Paul being most complimentary, but in an admiring, approving and encouraging way. Paul, in verse five, in essence reiterates their "election"…"this gospel came TO you". It was not rhetoric, but by the Holy Spirit having the power of conviction, and you received it with assurance, or certainty of the truth.
"nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 1:12-13
It affected their hearts and changed their lives. They showed themselves to be "elect" (see chapter 2:13).
Why, one might ask, are some more receptive to the gospel message than others? Why are some convicted when presented with the Word of God, and others want to argue? The Thessalonians were convinced Paul and his group were messengers of God and their word was for their benefit. They themselves were the evidence of the power of the Word.
And so they became disciples of the Lord (vs. 6), following the example of the apostle. It apparently did not come easily though. There came affliction, probably in the form of persecution, (Acts 17:1-9, also 2 Cor. 8:1-2; 1 Thess. 2:14). But they nevertheless shared in the joy of the Holy Spirit to be counted followers of Christ and to share in the fellowship of His sufferings.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. 2 Cor. 4:17-18
So evident was their walk in faith, that they were an example to believers in that region, which was essentially all of Greece. Apparently, their witness was so effective and respected, that their "faith in God was spread abroad" by word of mouth, as it were, (vs. 8) so convincingly that Paul says, "we need not speak". Paul says "the people of the region prove to us how successful our preaching was in you. And what was their witness (verse 9-10)? They turned from idols (work of faith), they serve the living and true God (labor of love), and they wait for His Son from heaven (patience of hope) see verse 3. The three great principles of Christianity… faith, hope, and love (charity) must have been a powerful testimony of the Thessalonians if everyone in the region was talking about it.
[Happy testimony to the power of the Spirit working in the heart! When this is so, everything becomes testimony to others. They see that there is in Christians a power of which they are ignorant, motives which they have not experienced, a joy which they may scoff at but which they do not possess; a conduct which strikes them and which they admire, although they do not follow it; a patience which shews the impotence of the enemy in striving against a power that endures everything, and that rejoices in spite of all his efforts.] ~Darby
A very obvious and impressive Christian walk, not by their power or will, but by their submission to and communion with God. And what was the object of their devotion? (do I need to answer that?) Where do we have such an example today? (I need an answer to that!).
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.