Work, Labor, Endurance, and faith, love and hope.

BONUS! Today's post is also available to watch/listen to on Youtube!

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)

A few observations from this verse today:

First, the Apostle Paul, along with his ministry team members Silas and Timothy (mentioned in verse 1), in writing to believers in the city of Thessalonica encourages the believers by speaking about how he prays for them as a group. For Paul the work of church planting went far beyond his physical time spent at a location. While Paul may have only spent a few weeks, months, or a few years at a location preaching and planting a church, he spent years afterwards praying for the people of those churches. Paul's love for his brothers and sisters lasted far longer than his time in each body of faith. More than just an occasional reflective thought, Paul spent dedicated time in prayer before God giving thanks. What an example for us to pray for our brothers and sisters, even if we don't regularly see them or have ability to visit!

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)

Second, notice the connection between work and faith. What we do is a byproduct of what we believe. Our belief is not an abstract, mental exercise any more than raking the leaves, mowing the lawn, or cooking dinner is a mental exercise. What we believe is good, worthwhile, and desirable informs what we do. We believe it is good to remove leaves, have a trimmed lawn, and eat dinner. Therefore, we produce work that reflects those beliefs. The faith of the Thessalonians was producing work that was an encouragement to Paul and was known throughout the whole region (see chapter 1 verses 8-10). What we do, is a byproduct of what we believe.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)

Third, notice the connection between labor and love. What we do is a manifestation of what we love. Our affections are not merely internal emotional piles of hormones. The desires we have internally are in some measures demonstrated by what we do externally. In our home we have some children who love to draw, who love to play pokemon, who love to build with legos, who love to play tag, who love to hike, who love to ride bikes, who love to read, who love to snuggle. How do I know our children love these things? Because these are the things they speak of, long for, and do whenever they are given opportunity to do so! When given the chance, we do what we love. For the Thessalonian church they loved the Lord Jesus and sought to do things which pleased him (See chapter 4 verses 1-2). What we do is a manifestation of what we love. 

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)

Fourth, notice the connection between endurance and hope. We can only persist for as long as we have hope. "You can do anything for two weeks" is what my Pastor told me with only a few weeks to go before my wedding day. I was staying at my parents' home waiting for the wedding day. I wanted to stay in the house I had secured for my wife and I to live in. I had helped move much of our future shared belongings into the home. My fiancé was already staying in the home. My Pastor was gently, but firmly encouraging me to wait until our wedding day to begin sharing our home together. Many of us can wait for two weeks (even as many of us wait for Christmas day about two weeks from now!). But we only persist in a behavior for as long as we have hope. Once hope runs out, our behavior changes. Without hope there is no longing expectancy to inspire present behavior. The endurance possessed by the Thessalonians was a lasting one because their hope was in the everlasting one, the Lord Jesus Christ. We can only persist for as long as we have hope.

As you have time this December, take time in prayer and thought to reflect.

1) Who comes to mind that you haven't seen all year but could Thank God for?

2) What do your actions and activities reveal about your beliefs during this past year?

3) What do your actions and activities reveal about what you love during this past year?

4) What do your actions and activities reveal about what you hope for in the future?