Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Feb 5, 2024 - We Are Destined for This”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsWe Are Destined for This
Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
Paul continues telling the Thessalonians about his distress when he was “torn away”(1 Thess 2:17) from them shortly after their conversion and wondered whether they continued to serve Jesus. “Therefore, when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith”(1 Thess 3:1-2). Because Paul was such a lightning rod for persecution, he remained in Athens and sent Timothy back to work with the Thessalonians (Acts 17:13-15). Paul says he “could bear it no longer,” which adds a distinct emotional flavor to otherwise bland descriptions of travel plans.
His main concern for them is “that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know”(1 Thess 3:3-4). Persecution and social ostracism are hard for young faith to endure. Jesus warns about those who receive the word joyfully but fall in time of tribulation and persecution (Mark 4:17). Yet Paul insists that affliction does not mean something has gone wrong. Paul both taught and lived the reality of suffering for following Jesus. So he sends Timothy “to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain”(1 Thess 3:5). If this hardship destroys their faith, Paul will be devastated.
Paul’s words underscore two important ideas. One is that disciples should expect to suffer. “We are destined for this.” Paul shows us that we need to understand this personally and teach new believers to anticipate it from the beginning of their conversion. The other is that this suffering, when poorly endured, can harm or ruin our faith. This is the reason for Paul’s intense emotions (“we could bear it no longer” and “for fear”). Hard times are opportunities to shore up our faith and encourage others to be strong.
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One Thing to Think About: What kinds of afflictions do I endure for following Jesus? How do they affect me?
One Thing to Pray For: A heart to “establish and exhort” others in their faith
