6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:6–8 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul was concerned whether or not the Thessalonians were continually living for Christ (3:1-5). Paul’s comfort regarding them came because of Timothy’s good report of their faith and love. The apostle was also blessed by their prayers of kindness and their longing to see him and Silas. The deep affection was mutual.
“Romans 12:15 features this command from the Apostle Paul: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” With these words, Paul exhorts us not to regard ourselves as mere individuals with respect to our relationship to Christ. That is, we must not view ourselves as connected to Jesus but disconnected from others who likewise trust in the Savior. We must understand ourselves as so closely related to other believers that what saddens them saddens us and what fills them with joy fills us with joy also,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
“We are to understand ourselves in this way because we are in fact connected to other Christians in this way. Today’s passage provides evidence of this truth. Paul reports on the update Timothy gave him regarding the spiritual state of the Thessalonians, explaining how news of their perseverance in the faith comforted him, even bringing the Apostle and his companions life (1 Thess. 3:6–8). This is possible only because of the union Christians have with one another as one body in Christ. We are “members one of another” (Rom. 12:5), and our welfare is in some mysterious way inseparable from the welfare of our brothers and sisters in the Lord.”
I recently called a friend of mine who’s grandson had tragically died. What could I say? The words exchanged between us were few. The emotions exchanged were deep and sorrowful. The love and concern Paul felt for these first century believers is the love and concern I have for my friend and his family. This is the love we are to have for one another (I Cor. 13:1-8; I John 4:7-11).
Southern Gospel composer Lanny Wolfe expressed it well in his song God’s Family.
Verse One We’re part of the family that’s been born again Part of the family whose love knows no end. For Jesus has saved us and made us His own. Now we’re part of the family that’s on its way home
Chorus: And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry Sometimes we share together heartaches and sighs. Sometimes we dream together of how it will be When we all get to Heaven, God’s family.
Verse Two: When a brother meets sorrow, we all feel his grief. And when he’s passed through the valley, we all feel relief. Together in sunshine, together in rain, Together in victory through His precious name.
Verse Three: And though some go before us, we’ll all meet again, Just inside the city when we enter in. There’ll be no more parting, with Jesus we’ll be, Together forever, God’s family.
Unconverted sinners need Christ. So also do believers in Christ need Christ and fellow believers in Christ. We need each other while we, and others, face the distresses and afflictions of life in this fallen world. It is when fellow believers in Christ stand firm in their faith, then our faith stands firm.
“Timothy brought news of the faith and love of the Thessalonians (1 Thess. 3:6). This refers to their continuing trust in Christ and the fruit of this trust in their love for God and for one another. Timothy’s update assured Paul that the gospel was bearing fruit among the Thessalonians, for faith and love are of the essence of salvation—faith because it alone connects us to Jesus, and love because it is proof of that faith and thus of our connection to the Lord (Rom. 4:5; James 2:14–26),” states Dr. Sproul.
John Calvin comments: “In these two words [Paul] comprehends briefly the entire sum of true piety. Hence all that aim at this twofold mark during their whole life are beyond all risk of erring.”
Continue to stand fast in your faith. Remember those in your life who stood firm and fast in the faith and helped you to do the same. Realize someone, you may not even know who, is watching you. They’re encouraged by you. They’re strengthened in their walk of faith because of you. They’re praying for you and thanking God for you. We need Christ and we need each other.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 