Year 2, Day 287: 1 Thessalonians 1-2

Background

As we begin 1 & 2 Thessalonians, I would encourage you to go back and also read Acts 17:1-9.  This is the story of Paul’s missionary trip to Thessalonica with Silas (or Silvanus) and Timothy.  We know from 1 Thessalonians 3:6 that Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica at some point to not only check on their progress but likely to do some teaching as well.

The Hype

As I read through this first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, I asked myself the question: “Why is Paul so hyped up about the Thessalonians at the beginning of the chapter?”  I think we should pay attention to what Paul praises.  After all, the Thessalonians became imitators and were praised in their faith; perhaps we can be praised in our faith by imitating them as well.  Isn’t that what discipleship is all about after all?  Should we not become imitators of those who are in the faith?

So what does Paul praise them for?  The answer is quite simple: they became a public example in their faith.  People saw how the Thessalonians were changed in the faith and they wanted to join.  People saw how the Thessalonians gave up their false idols.  They saw how the Thessalonians stepped out in service.  Their example was inspirational to the people around them.

This past week, I was able to listen to a guy by the name of Mike Breen.  He’s an Anglican who is doing much work in the area of church reform.  He was picking on his own denomination at one point in his talk.  He said, “Anglicans are a people of a very internal and private faith.”  Ever feel that way?  Ever meet people who are that way?

Then, Mike Breen said, “What a crock.”  At that point I smiled, because I knew where he was going to go.  After all, we know Jesus’ final words to His disciples before ascending into heaven.  They are pretty simple.  Didn’t He say, “Go, be a people of a private faith.  Don’t share what God is doing in your life with others.  Don’t pray out loud.  And whatever you do, don’t risk offending people by telling them about God.” 

Oh, wait.  I think I got something wrong there.  Actually, I believe what Jesus said is, “Go, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you.”  Yeah, that sounds a bit more like Jesus.  Jesus very last words are about the importance of being public about the faith that God has given to us.

Sure, we can choose how to go about our public faith.  We can be in people’s faces or we can be subtly public while we pick and choose those people with whom we try to have influence.  But the point is that we have a public faith.  People should see a difference in our life.  We should be willing to talk about that faith when people do notice a difference.  People should be able to look at us, see Jesus, and desire to be in a relationship with the Son of God who changes the rules of life completely. 

There is nothing wrong with having private moments within our faith, but ultimately our life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ should be public.  If we truly love people as God loves them, why should we not want people to see the difference that God makes in our life?  Why should we not want them to be committed to serving the true God instead of their own self-monger?  I love how Paul describes the people of Thessalonica: the gospel came to them not only in word but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Pre-Hype

As we transition to 1 Thessalonians 2, we see that this is still the topic of which Paul speaks.  Paul speaks about his witness (and the witness of those who were with him).  He talks about how they served.  He speaks about how he didn’t over-burden them.  Paul and his associates came into Thesalonica and nurtured them by teaching them about God, His Word, and His ways.

As Paul goes on in this second chapter, notice that Paul again returns to the idea of the Thessalonian witness?  It was Paul’s example and the example of his spiritual associates that led to the Thessalonians also having a public testimony.  In other words, public faith breeds public faith.  {For the record, private faith breeds private faith, too.}  Being public about our life through suffering develops people who are willing to live faithfully through their own suffering.  Being public about how God is working through our persecution develops others who are willing to work through their own persecution and see God’s hand in it.

I feel like I have found an answer to the question that I was asking at the opening of this letter.  What is Paul so excited about with respect to the Thessalonians?  They have a public faith.  They have a public witness.  People are noticing the changes that are happening in their life.  What’s not to love about that?  Can there be any doubt why Paul is so excited?

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