READ: 1
Thessalonians 3
We
learn from the first few verses of this chapter that the Thessalonian believers
were suffering persecution. When Paul had been with them persecution was not
happening. But we learn in these verses that Paul had warned them it would
happen. He had been worried when he hadn’t heard from them for a while because
he thought the persecution may have been too much for them, and that they had
gone back to their old ways. He was more than thrilled to find out they had
been strong in the face of suffering.
This
idea of teaching new believers about suffering and persecution has been lost in
our western church for many years. We have tried to sweeten the gospel by
telling people how much better their lives will be with Christ. And it’s true!
Life is always better with Christ! However, we have cheapened the power of the
Holy Spirit and reduced the benefits of salvation to what we can experience on
this earth. If we followed the example of Paul, part of our message to those
interested in the gospel would include the truth of suffering and persecution.
We
would not hesitate to let them know they will face difficulty, possibly losing
relationships, belongings, and being physically beaten. And we could do this
easily because we can also tell them of the promise of heaven for those who
endure. When we expect suffering, and have a plan to stay faithful by focusing
on our eternal reward, any persecution that comes our way cannot sway us or
make us falter. This is how Paul taught
these believers when he was with them and it paid off! They stood strong when
the winds of opposition hit them.
We
see in Paul’s words to the Thessalonians that he was also suffering. We don’t
know the full details, but we know Satan had thwarted him from leaving the area
he was in, and that they were in “distress and affliction” (vs. 7). Paul tells
the believers in his letter that the news of their endurance in the face of
suffering helped bolster them in their difficult times. There is a sense of “if
they can do it, I can do it” as well as a shared purpose and camaraderie across
the miles. When the Body of Christ suffers in one place, the whole Body
suffers. But in the same way, when the Body of Christ endures it brings joy and
strength to the rest of the Body.
We
can take this to heart today. There are believers across the globe suffering
for their faith, being persecuted, beaten, threatened and abused. Christians
are suffering simply for choosing Jesus. Maybe today they feel alone and cut
off from the Body of Christ. We can bring them hope, joy and strength through
our prayers, our letters, and our testimony.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1. Are you ready
to face suffering and persecution for the sake of Christ? Ask the Lord to speak
to your heart about how to more fully prepare yourself to choose Him in the
face of persecution. Ask Him to give you a driving passion to receive a reward
in heaven for enduring to the end. Thank Him for providing all you need through
the Holy Spirit to stay standing when enemies come against you.
2. Ask Jesus if
you have in any way cheapened His salvation or devalued the eternal benefits of
a relationship with Jesus when speaking with others. Ask Him to give you ideas
and steps to sharing your hope for heaven with others even while you prepare
for difficulty. Ask Him to plant such a deep longing in you for heaven that
others would be attracted to heaven because of you.
3. Ask Jesus to
bring to mind the name of a person or people group who are suffering today for
the sake of Christ. Pray for believers who are being persecuted that they would
stand strong, that the Holy Spirit would infuse them with a longing for heaven,
and that they would receive encouragement from other believers. (If you would
like to pray more specifically for persecuted believers please check out Voice
of the Martyrs Canada at www.persecution.net.)
