2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 verses 3 – 4 (NIV)
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians Chapter 1 verse 11 (NIV)
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
I think Paul had reason to feel proud of, and feel blessed by the Thessalonians church. In spite of their hardships, the congregation’s faith was growing, as was their love for each other as they continued to persevere.
Perhaps this was as a result of their attitude which we get a glimpse of when Paul talks of his prayer for them. He asked God to honour their desire to do good deeds and to cultivate an attitude of goodness. In other words, they were not thinking of themselves and their difficulties, but of others. Isn’t it true that when we do a good deed, no matter what else is going on in our lives, that we feel blessed. The Thessalonians obviously did. There’s no such thing as a perfect church, but I think I’d have liked to spend time with the Thessalonians. They set a great example.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the example set by this young, and persecuted church. Help me to follow their example of seeking to do good for others and not get caught up with what might be happening in my life. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.