1 Thessalonians 1-5

Thessalonia was the capital and largest city of Macedonia (a Roman province) and provided a crossroads for trade and commerce. Paul has been sending Timothy to help them in their faith and Paul has been writing to this young church to encourage them and praise them for persevering through persecution.

Paul states, first, what he has heard from Timothy and Silas, praising them for their steadiness and reminding them of Jesus returning. He glimpses back on when Paul first visited:

"3For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed -- God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else."

Paul is reassuring the Thessalonian church that Paul, Timothy, and Silas were of pure heart. Their intentions were completely focused on love through the word of God. Paul doesn't want them to forget what they were there for.

He talks about Timothy's report and says that Paul longs to be with the Thessalonians, reminding them to live to please God in Chapter 4:

"3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: 4that you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrog his brother or take advantage of him."

Paul makes a good point after that. He says:

"8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit."

I like this verse, because it reminds me that it can be easy to get caught up in trying to please other people, rather than God. Because if God comes first in your life, you will please the people who God wants you to please. But you shouldn't be looking to get satisfaction out of other people instead of God. I sometimes struggle with this*.

He continues at the end of Chapter 4 with great advice on how to focus on God:

"11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

These are such strangely good verses. I love that Paul talks about something so simple as how you should appear to "outsiders", but he knows how important it is and how something as small as not relying on other people could lead someone to Christ -- just by living life!

Chapter 5 is labeled "The Coming of the Lord"...and for good reason.

"1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying "Peace and Safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."

These verses are great insight into how we should treat the "end of the world". It will come with out warning, and we should always be prepared for it. I also love how Paul explains the "end of the world" as being like "labor pains on a pregnant woman". We know it will come.

"4But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6So, then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and for those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But, since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or are asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as in fact you are doing."

What Paul is saying here refers to laziness vs. discipline in Christ. We should always strive to be self-controlled, "sons of the light", and building each other up so that we may end up in Heaven. One thing that stuck out, in my mind, was that Paul emphasizes us being people of the light. It reminds of media today and how we fall in love with Anti-Heroes. These people are confused -- bad people doing good acts. But that's not what we should be striving to be. We should always be walking towards anything that is "good" and pure.

He ends 1 Thessalonians with this:

"12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14We urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak be patient with everyone. 15Make sure no one pays back wrong for wrong...16Be joyful always; 17Pray continually...21Test everything. 22Hold onto the good. Avoid every kind of evil."

It's so cool how Paul knows the recipe for success in Christ. It's even cooler that he shares it and strives for the spiritual longevity of others.

Theme: Be steady and holy because Christ is coming again.