Concern for Christians

 Concern for Christians 

1 Thessalonians 3

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were concerned for the believers in Thessalonica. Before writing this letter called 1 Thessalonians, they visited Thessalonica for the first time and shared the gospel. Many believed, putting their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation and deliverance from sin. 

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were chased out of Thessalonica, and the believers there were left on their own. Paul and his companions knew of the persecution, testing by Satan, and temptations the Thessalonians were facing. These three men wanted to visit Thessalonica and encourage the believers, but could not. Several times in this section of the letter, they express how greatly they desired to go to Thessalonica. Their concern for the Thessalonians was very great indeed, so much so that in 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 they tell us:

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

Notice the great concern expressed by these words. Connect these words with those expressed in verse 5.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (NKJV) For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

Twice, the letter says, “When we could no longer endure it.” They cared very deeply for the Thessalonians. It is surprising to see how anxious the great apostle is! This shows us another side of the Apostle Paul. In another place, he says:

2 Corinthians 11:28-29 (NKJV) 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

Paul’s concern for the churches where he had been was one of his biggest burdens. He really cared! We see this concern reflected in the decision to send Timothy.

1 Thessalonians 3:6 picks up with Timothy's return. The language changes from concern to rejoicing. As we look at these verses, we see two concerns that the Apostle and his companions had, and when they saw these two things, they rejoiced greatly.

Their first concern was that Christians stand fast in the Lord.

We see this expressed in verses 7-8.

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 (NKJV) 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Notice they say, “We were comforted concerning you by your faith.” Therefore, their concern had to do with their faith. They follow this with “For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.” They cared so much that their lives were at stake. Most parents know what this feels like. There is nothing scarier than the thought of losing a child. That is how these men felt. They say, “If you stand fast in the Lord.” They were okay only if the believers stood fast in the Lord.

What does it mean to “Stand fast in the Lord?”

In Psalm 1, the Psalmist says that the person who meditates on the word of God day and night will be like a tree planted by rivers of water. Let’s think of that tree. When the wind blows, lightning flashes, and thunder roars, the branches sway and bend, but the tree stands firm because its roots are sunk deep in the soil, which is the word of God. Standing firm is like that tree. The storms, the temptations, persecutions, and testing only serve to strengthen our grip on our foundation. Jesus used the example of building a house on a rock.

In addition to standing firm, Paul, Silas, and Timothy expressed their concern that Christians “increase and abound in love to one another and to all.” We see this in verses 12-13.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NKJV) 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we [do] to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Let’s compare the prayer that the Thessalonians increase and abound in love to Jesus’s teaching that the greatest commandments are to love God with heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love one’s neighbor as oneself. He tells us that all the teachings of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. 

To grow in love, we need the prayer that the Lord makes us to increase and abound. One thing we can do is practice self-control and purpose to treat others as well as we treat ourselves. This is an act of the will, including how we think of others. This does not mean we let people do whatever they want. Our conscience does not permit us to do whatever we want. It does mean that we treat others respectfully, even when confronting them with their sins against us. Another crucial component of growing in love is meditating on the word of God, especially our salvation, God’s love, and what He has done for us. 1 John tells us that we love God because He first loved us. Focusing on our salvation and God’s love is also how we forgive our neighbors. We are to forgive others because God forgives us.

Are we doing all we can to stand firm and grow in love?