The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 3:5,
"For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain."
Why was the spiritual condition of this Thessalonian fellowship something that beguiled Paul so? He could not stand not knowing about their condition when he was separated from them, 2:17 and experienced an "intense longing" for them, and so, sent Timothy to find out how they were doing. 3:1-2.
We read that Paul worked hard among the folks in Thessalonica as he preached there. He recalls that in addition to sharing the gospel with them, he shared his life as well, 2:8. He worked night and day while there so as not to be a financial burden to them, 2:9. Paul speaks of being like young children among them, rather than exercising apostolic authority, and treating them as a nursing mother, 2:7, and a father, 2:11.
Having left Thessalonica, he became concerned for them after just a short time, 2:17, but "Satan blocked our way", verse 18, and prevented him from returning. "For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. Paul states his concern this way, "I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain." 3:5b.
Obviously, his concern rested in the possibility that such a thing could occur. I don't understand Paul to say that he was concerned for the salvation of these believers, but that in his heavy personal investment in building up this fellowship, he did not want to see it torn apart. He desired the best for these he had given so much for and wanted to see this fellowship flourish.
I am not of the persuasion that when we have embraced Jesus Christ in faith, sealing our eternal life in him, that it is possible to lose that salvation. I read that God will keep us safe in him till the day he comes for us. He will keep us strong to the end, "He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. God stakes the reputation of his faithfulness on this. However, this does not mean the fellowship we are in cannot be disturbed, disrupted, and destroyed by the forces of spiritual darkness. Else, why Paul's concern and frustration in not knowing the condition of this fellowship?
Groups of believers are not immune to the temptings of Satan. No fellowship should feel they are beyond the devil's reach, and should be mindful that they can fall into a condition where the work invested in it can come to naught. "I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain."
Can't God prevent these kinds of things from happening? Certainly. It isn't a question of God's ability to do whatever it is he wishes, the question rests on will he? Will he always intervene to keep bad things from happening in a fellowship? The answer is clearly no. Else, Paul's concern would be unfounded. Not that God never does intervene, but apparently he has left us with some responsibility here.
The community of the redeemed has a responsibility to order itself around the truths of God's word to maintain a healthy spiritual vitality. Even if their individual salvation not be in jeopardy, the spiritual health, effectiveness and fitness for redemptive work is vulnerable to spiritual attack. This accounts for Paul's concern. A brief survey of church history bears this out.
What God has done is to make a way for us into his family. For those who respond to the invitation, they have also been invited to participate in God's program of redemption in meaningful ways. God doesn't give us things to do just to keep us busy, but he has determined he will carry out his plan of redemption in an amazing collaboration with those who respond to it.
We all have a responsibility to participate in and to insure the spiritual health and welfare of our fellowships. God has gifted each of us in an anticipation we will use those gifts within the fellowship. See 1 Peter 4:10, "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
In addition to these wonderful Thessalonian believers causing him great joy, may Paul be excited to see our fellowships healthy and thriving on the day Jesus Christ returns for his own.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment