Turned Upside Down
When Paul arrived at Thessalonica, the city leaders declared, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also.” (Acts 17:6) Our world needs to be turned upside down! The gospel message needs to impact this present darkness.
In his first letter to the believers in Thessalonica, Paul noted his thanks to God for “[their] work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v. 1:3) This passage and entire first chapter outlines the Christian’s balance: a life continually lived in three tenses. First, there is the past work of faith—salvation and the work it produces. A Christian’s faith will express itself in good works. Those around the Thessalonian believers saw that they were different. How? They turned from their pagan ways. Now that is something for today’s believers to learn from. The gospel transformed their lives: they fell in love with the Author of the Bible—Jesus Christ. Do you love Him; and has He transformed your life? Second, there is the present labor of love—tiring work of evangelism. Love seeks the highest good in the one loved; and what is the greatest good for the nonbeliever? Paul reported that the gospel message going out from Thessalonica was reverberating into all of Greece, and beyond. The believers there were willing to be slaves to Christ. God is not interested in an apathetic church or a retreating church. He is looking for men and women who are willing to be bold in service to Him. Are you willing to be a slave of Jesus Christ? Third, there is the future patience of hope—remaining positive and optimistic, despite suffering. Hope is best seen in persecution. Jesus never promised us a rosy life, but He did promise a life of true joy. The Thessalonians were examples to other believers. What do people near and far hear of your Christian life? Is it the balance of your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope?
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
