Working at a bank, we occasionally have counterfeit money that comes in. Some of it looks and feels very much like real money. With its color, size, and feel, it's understandable how it passed initial inspection by a cashier. However, some of it barely looks better than Monopoly money and really leaves you wondering what the cashier was thinking when they accepted it. But no matter how good the counterfeit, eventually, it is found out to be fake. "Inauthenticity will always be revealed - even when it's in a Christian's attitude. We can tell the difference between a fake smile or handshake and genuine joy and compassion. This joy cannot be manufactured, but we can be filled with it when we are filled with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Paul and his companions begin these verses by sharing how thankful they are for three very specific traits of the early members of the church at Thessalonica.
First, is that their works were produced by faith. Let's make sure everyone understands one very key point, salvation is by faith in Christ alone. But our faith in Christ does not stop once we place our faith in Him. True faith inspires us to works which shows the genuineness of our faith. Think of it like getting married. The day you get married, it's a done deal. But as your marriage continues, you care more for each others, you do more for each other, your works begin to show how much more you love your spouse than when you first got married.
Second, the Thessalonians' labor was motivated by love. The term used here for labor was more than what we consider merely going to work - it was hard, intense, effort and strife. This labor was something the Thessalonians were passionate about, and you could tell that in how they performed the work. This love and passion is what resides in believers and is how the Thessalonians showed that they were indeed God's children.
Third, the Thessalonians' endurance was inspired by hope. Endurance was often used to refer to strength to endure attacks and the strength to keep going to win victories. They were willing to endure because of the hope, a confident expectation of victory, that they possessed. As long as we have a chance, even a glimmer of hope, there is reason to endure.
Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
Paul and his companions begin these verses by sharing how thankful they are for three very specific traits of the early members of the church at Thessalonica.
First, is that their works were produced by faith. Let's make sure everyone understands one very key point, salvation is by faith in Christ alone. But our faith in Christ does not stop once we place our faith in Him. True faith inspires us to works which shows the genuineness of our faith. Think of it like getting married. The day you get married, it's a done deal. But as your marriage continues, you care more for each others, you do more for each other, your works begin to show how much more you love your spouse than when you first got married.
Second, the Thessalonians' labor was motivated by love. The term used here for labor was more than what we consider merely going to work - it was hard, intense, effort and strife. This labor was something the Thessalonians were passionate about, and you could tell that in how they performed the work. This love and passion is what resides in believers and is how the Thessalonians showed that they were indeed God's children.
Third, the Thessalonians' endurance was inspired by hope. Endurance was often used to refer to strength to endure attacks and the strength to keep going to win victories. They were willing to endure because of the hope, a confident expectation of victory, that they possessed. As long as we have a chance, even a glimmer of hope, there is reason to endure.
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