Genuine Christianity - Studies in 1 Thessalonians - 9
Going, Growing and Glowing
Today we're studying 1Thessalonians chapter 3 verses 11 to 13. This passage contains a prayer. Paul prays for the believers in Thessalonica. We can learn a lot from this prayer. We see the sort of things that concerned the early church. We see priority prayer topics. It's always good to pray for one another. Paul prays for three things:
First he prays about Going. We read in verse 11, "Now may the God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ clear the way for us to come to you". Notice here: The Persons addressed. It is to the Father and the Son. They are both placed side by side. There is an equality. Both are looked to in the same way and to the same degree for guidance and help. Paul was not attempting here to teach the truth of the Trinity or to defend it. Indirectly he does. The Father and the Son are regarded as being coequal in position and authority. It would be blasphemous to speak of a mere man as though he was on the same level as God. But Jesus is God. God is the Father. The Son shares in the same divine nature.
We also see: The purpose requested. Paul earnestly wanted to visit his children in the faith. He asks God to make it possible. Do you ever feel guilty about praying for your own needs first? It is interesting that Paul prayed for his own desires before he prayed for the Thessalonians. You have probably come across an acrostic like J.0.Y. 'J' equals Jesus first. We begin with worship and thanks. 'O' equals others next. 'Y' equals yourself last! That is all right, but it need not be a rule set in stone! Sometimes your own need is so great that you have to unburden yourself before the Lord before you are able to talk to him about other things. Sometimes it is impossible to pray for others until you have dealt your own situation.
In verse 12 Paul asks that the Lord would, "..clear the way for us." "Clear" translates a Greek word meaning to "make straight." You will recall that in chapter 2 verse 18 Paul says, "We wanted to come to you. but Satan stopped us." The word "stopped" translates a Greek word meaning "to make a road uncrossable." Satan had 'dug up the road' to prevent Paul going forward. God permitted this for the reasons we looked at when we studied chapter 2. Satan does not have the final say.
He is not in control God is! The "Divine road repair department" moves in. In answer to prayer God cleared the way for Paul. Five years later Paul visited Thessalonica on his third missionary journey. Prayer is an important weapon in our spiritual warfare. God is pleased to use your prayers to fulfil his purposes in your life and in the world, "What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer."
We also learn that we must wait God's time. Paul waited another five years. Eventually he saw the answer. In praying to God Paul acknowledged the sovereignty of God over all the affairs of his life. The key to knowing God's guidance is deepening your relationship with the guide. Trust Him, pray and He will guide you aright. Wait for God's perfect timing.
Second, he prays about Growing. We read in verse 12, "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else." Why this emphasis on improving love? A.W.Pink once said, "Love is the queen of all the graces'." All we do for Christ must flow out of love for him or it is vain. love is the fulfilment of the law. F.B.Meyer said, "Whatever of outward service or obedience we render to God or man, if love is withheld, the law is not fulfilled."
Paul says our love must overflow. The original Greek word means, "an exceeding measure; something above the ordinary." Our fellowship with each other should have an abounding amount of love. That will soon sort out disunity and discord. The Scriptures tell us in 1 Corinthians 13 verse 1, "If I have not love I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."
This extraordinary abounding love should be felt by others. Paul said it should, "overflow for each other." Someone once said, "Love looks after number two, not exclusively number one." Biblical love is never merely sentimental, abstract or emotional. It's always practical. love visits the widows and the fatherless. It provides for the needy. it comforts the hurting. It never backstabs. Love builds up it never tears down. Are you displaying that sort of love wherever God has placed you?
The third thing Paul prays about is Glowing. We read in verse 13, "May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and the Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
The most powerful motivation for following the Lord is the truth of the second coming of Jesus Christ. When he comes he wants to find us blameless and holy. To be like that we need to look to God to strengthen us.
We cannot even begin to live holy lives without his help. This strengthening is God's part in our sanctification. His goal in our lives is to present us blameless in his presence. When the Lord Jesus comes we shall be perfectly holy and blameless.
Now we are to 'glow' with Christ-likeness. We must shine as lights in the world. We are to glow in holiness in all areas of our lives. He is coming with all his "holy ones". This is not a reference to the angels. Paul is talking about saved loved ones who have gone before. They are the spirits of just men and women made perfect.
We must live in constant readiness and preparation for that great day. Augustine said, "He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near. It is he who whether far off or near awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love."
May that be true of all of us as we wait for the Saviour's appearing.