Central Truth

Paul had established the Church in Thessalonica and is writing two years later to encourage these young Christians in their faith despite their persecution.

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Reflections

The early Church dealt with persecution in the form of stoning, beatings, crucifixion, torture, and death. To be a follower of Christ meant giving up everything. Many first century Christians met an early death for taking up the cross of Christ. They looked eagerly toward His second coming. In this letter Paul encourages them through his prayers and writings.

As 21st century Christians we too may deal with oppression and persecution. The more we exhort our faith in Christ, the more likely we are to be branded outcasts in worldly terms. Each of us has home and work situations that require us to make choices that allow others to reject or ridicule us for the stand we take in trying to do what Christ would want, i.e., what we watch on TV or at the movies, the jokes we pass on, or the emails we forward. On a deeper level there are ethical decisions we daily make that no one really notices -- but God does. 

We make the choice to place God above all else:  to follow Him and His commandants, to have no other Gods before Him (not money, not sex, not fame), to love our neighbors as ourselves (to care as much about their comfort as our own). These are tall charges and require a servant’s heart willing to sacrifice it all for the God we love.

In my medical practice I often see patients with an unexpected, untimely or "abnormal" pregnancy. Because of my belief in the sanctity of life through Jesus Christ, it is my role to be supportive of the patient and maintain that Biblical principle. I do a lot of praying as I lovingly seek to give patients the alternatives of life instead of the "quick fix" of abortion that comes with years of emotional scarring. However, when abortion is a choice they seek, my role is to continue to show them God’s love and mercy. 

And so Paul exhorts us all to work by faith and to labor in love, driven by the spirit of the hope in our Lord.

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Discussion Questions

1.  When was the last time you felt persecuted for your faith or Christian belief?  Did you stay firm with it?

2.  Do you live your daily life so that others around you at work, home or school know you are “different” from many others in the crowd?

3.  What keeps you strong in the face of 21st century persecution?

4.  Would you still stand up for Christ if it meant losing your life or your job or your relationships  . . . or being stoned or beaten?

 

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