Daily Devotional for Monday, April 1

The Energetic Church

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father,” 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 3.

A thriving, God-honoring, indigenous church is every missionary’s delight. When God’s Word has taken root, and believers are following the commands of the Lord, it is reason for much thanksgiving. Whether in a village in Kenya, a church plant in Nebraska or a tribe meeting together deep in Papua’s jungle, churches like the Thessalonian church are found all over the planet. The planters and encouragers are thankful and in constant prayer for the infant gathering.

Paul, Silvanus (Silas, as Luke calls him) and Timothy felt this delight and thankfulness for the church in Thessalonica. The love, pride and excitement swirled on the page. Their words to the members of the young church were filled with warmth and feeling because they knew and loved them deeply and sincerely. They were proud “papas” in the faith!

There were three characteristics of the church the trio commended: their work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope—faith, hope and love. By trusting the Lord, they were making great spiritual progress. Their faithful work of reaching others (verse 8), goodness toward those around them (1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10) and standing in the face of persecution (1 Thessalonians 1:6) was commendable. They truly labored sacrificially in order to show love individually and as a church.

The most remarkable of the three characteristics was the Thessalonians’ patience of hope in anticipation of Christ’s return. The word used is hupomonēs, meaning patient endurance, steadfastness or perseverance; the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances. As a body, they were stout-hearted with an air of certainty and confident expectation of Christ’s return. What an example and what a compliment to a young church!

THOUGHT:Personally and as a church, would we be commended for our work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope in Jesus?

Kelli Reynolds