The First Epistle Of Paul To The Thessalonians
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 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. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 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..........(1:2-8)
"....when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." (2:13)
Concerned for their faith, Paul sends Timothy to know how the Thessalonian church were faring. He receives "good news of their faith and love." They are steadfast in what they have heard.
Pretty good report card! Well done, thy good and faithful servant, you are entering into the joy of the Lord! What you have received from Him (through the gifts God has given to men that build up the body of Christ), you are devoted to. Yet Paul tells them that he would like to see their faces and "perfect what is lacking in their faith" (3:10); .....Paul prays that "He (Jesus) may establish your hearts BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS before our God at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."(3:13)
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification.....; that each if you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor." (4:3,4)
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you COMPLETELY; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, will also do it." (5:23.24)
"But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath (the wrath that is certainly yet to come upon the earth), but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ..." (5:8,9)
Why is Paul discussing that we, to the extent that we are walking in Christ like the Thessalonians, should be "hoping" and "attaining" that which so many Christians say they have already attained, when, it appears salvation culminates when He comes to receive His church, those alive and dead, to Himself prior to the wrath that will come upon the earth? It is clear - even the most devoted must press toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul and the Thessalonians are!
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 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. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 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..........(1:2-8)
"....when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." (2:13)
Concerned for their faith, Paul sends Timothy to know how the Thessalonian church were faring. He receives "good news of their faith and love." They are steadfast in what they have heard.
Pretty good report card! Well done, thy good and faithful servant, you are entering into the joy of the Lord! What you have received from Him (through the gifts God has given to men that build up the body of Christ), you are devoted to. Yet Paul tells them that he would like to see their faces and "perfect what is lacking in their faith" (3:10); .....Paul prays that "He (Jesus) may establish your hearts BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS before our God at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."(3:13)
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification.....; that each if you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor." (4:3,4)
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you COMPLETELY; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, will also do it." (5:23.24)
"But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath (the wrath that is certainly yet to come upon the earth), but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ..." (5:8,9)
Why is Paul discussing that we, to the extent that we are walking in Christ like the Thessalonians, should be "hoping" and "attaining" that which so many Christians say they have already attained, when, it appears salvation culminates when He comes to receive His church, those alive and dead, to Himself prior to the wrath that will come upon the earth? It is clear - even the most devoted must press toward the mark for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul and the Thessalonians are!
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