1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.- 1 Thessalonians 3:7
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From this passage, we see how deeply and urgently the apostle Paul cared for the church. Although he was still suffering, his concern was not for his own safety but for the young believers in the Thessalonian church. He worried that their faith might be shaken by Satan’s attacks. For this reason, he sent Timothy to visit them. When Timothy returned with good news of their faith and love, Paul was greatly comforted. In Paul’s own words, “Now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord… how can we thank God enough for you, in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” He goes on to say, “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” (vv. 8–10).
In these few verses, we clearly see Paul’s parental heart for believers. As he says in 1 Corinthians 4:15, “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” Paul regarded them as his spiritual children. His own joy and anxiety were closely tied to the faith of these new believers. If they stood firm in the Lord, he felt truly alive. If their faith was weak, he would intercede for them day and night before God, trusting Him to sustain and strengthen what was lacking. His heartfelt concern for these new believers is evident in his words.
From Paul’s life, we learn that the greatest joy of a gospel worker is not the size of the church or the number of people attending, but whether the sheep entrusted by God are able to “stand firm in the Lord” (v. 8). This is something every evangelist and church must take seriously. Sharing the gospel does not end when someone is brought into the church and accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Sometimes, before new believers are properly grounded in truth and strengthened in faith, they are quickly pushed into various forms of service. Such haste and pragmatism not only fail new believers but also fall short of faithfulness to the Great Commission. They often arise from a desire for personal achievement or recognition. For just as God is real, Satan is also real. While we are busy proclaiming the gospel and leading people to Christ, Satan has never stopped working to undermine people’s relationship with God.
Therefore, bringing someone to church and helping them receive Christ is only the beginning. Growth requires ongoing accompaniment and prayer. God’s Word must nourish their lives so that their faith grows stronger. To stand firm in this world, believers must rely on God’s Word and persevere in prayer. As their faith and love continue to increase, they will be able to withstand the schemes of the enemy.
In Paul’s life, we see his constant prayer for new believers. On one hand, he longed for the opportunity to return and strengthen them personally. On the other hand, he prayed that the Lord would give them hearts to love one another. Mutual love is both evidence of Christ’s life growing within them and a visible testimony to others that they are Jesus’ disciples (see John 13:35). Paul himself lived this out, which is why he could say, “just as we love you” (vv. 11–12). Only in this way, when Christ returns, will all who follow Him be able to stand firm before Him, “holy and blameless” (v. 13). This is the greatest reward we seek.
Reflection
1. In the new year, are my faith and love also growing?
2. Do I have the courage to let others follow my example, as I seek to follow Christ?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, help me in this new year to be deeply rooted in the truth and to live out a genuine faith. Help me also to bear witness through a life of mutual love, so that others may see the love of Christ through me. All glory be to You. I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Click to read passage
From this passage, we see how deeply and urgently the apostle Paul cared for the church. Although he was still suffering, his concern was not for his own safety but for the young believers in the Thessalonian church. He worried that their faith might be shaken by Satan’s attacks. For this reason, he sent Timothy to visit them. When Timothy returned with good news of their faith and love, Paul was greatly comforted. In Paul’s own words, “Now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord… how can we thank God enough for you, in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” He goes on to say, “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith” (vv. 8–10).
In these few verses, we clearly see Paul’s parental heart for believers. As he says in 1 Corinthians 4:15, “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” Paul regarded them as his spiritual children. His own joy and anxiety were closely tied to the faith of these new believers. If they stood firm in the Lord, he felt truly alive. If their faith was weak, he would intercede for them day and night before God, trusting Him to sustain and strengthen what was lacking. His heartfelt concern for these new believers is evident in his words.
From Paul’s life, we learn that the greatest joy of a gospel worker is not the size of the church or the number of people attending, but whether the sheep entrusted by God are able to “stand firm in the Lord” (v. 8). This is something every evangelist and church must take seriously. Sharing the gospel does not end when someone is brought into the church and accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Sometimes, before new believers are properly grounded in truth and strengthened in faith, they are quickly pushed into various forms of service. Such haste and pragmatism not only fail new believers but also fall short of faithfulness to the Great Commission. They often arise from a desire for personal achievement or recognition. For just as God is real, Satan is also real. While we are busy proclaiming the gospel and leading people to Christ, Satan has never stopped working to undermine people’s relationship with God.
Therefore, bringing someone to church and helping them receive Christ is only the beginning. Growth requires ongoing accompaniment and prayer. God’s Word must nourish their lives so that their faith grows stronger. To stand firm in this world, believers must rely on God’s Word and persevere in prayer. As their faith and love continue to increase, they will be able to withstand the schemes of the enemy.
In Paul’s life, we see his constant prayer for new believers. On one hand, he longed for the opportunity to return and strengthen them personally. On the other hand, he prayed that the Lord would give them hearts to love one another. Mutual love is both evidence of Christ’s life growing within them and a visible testimony to others that they are Jesus’ disciples (see John 13:35). Paul himself lived this out, which is why he could say, “just as we love you” (vv. 11–12). Only in this way, when Christ returns, will all who follow Him be able to stand firm before Him, “holy and blameless” (v. 13). This is the greatest reward we seek.
Reflection
1. In the new year, are my faith and love also growing?
2. Do I have the courage to let others follow my example, as I seek to follow Christ?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, help me in this new year to be deeply rooted in the truth and to live out a genuine faith. Help me also to bear witness through a life of mutual love, so that others may see the love of Christ through me. All glory be to You. I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.