Thankful for a Life Changed by Grace
Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers” (I Thessalonians 1:2). Thanksgiving to God for his grace in the life of others was a common practice of the Apostle Paul. He related this thanksgiving in his epistles to the Romans (1:8), the Ephesians (1:15), the Philippians (1:3), the Colossians (1:3), and even in his letter to Philemon (1:4). His thankfulness was both genuine and pervasive. Paul thanked God because salvation is the work of God and no one else.
In his thanksgiving, Paul often cited characteristics that he observed that prompted this thanksgiving and prayers. In the case of the Thessalonians, Paul expressly remembered in prayer “without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 1:3). These three qualities evidenced their belief in the gospel and conversion.
Their work of faith testified to their relationship to God and trust in him while engaged in something that looked beyond this present world. Faith governed their walk now – not sight. They shaped their pursuits and practice according to God’s word. They filtered all that they saw and experienced through the lens of Scripture and that lens defined their worldview and their work.
Paul noted as well their labor of love. These believers were propelled along their journey by their love for Christ and, as a result, their love for each other as well as all men. Love guided their interactions with all that they encountered. They no longer lived for themselves, but “unto him who died for them. and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). This translated into a love for the souls of men, which trumped other worldly endeavors giving eternal purpose to their daily living.
Finally, Paul saw a steadfastness in their path and progression. They held fast to their profession by their unwavering hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. They were not dismayed by persecution or hardship of any kind. Rather, with undiminished resolve they followed “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
What is plain from Paul’s commendation of these believers is that these characteristics were observable. He plainly states “not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad…how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven” (I Thessalonians 1:8-9). To put it another way, a life changed by God is plain to see. Does your life reveal a life changed by the gospel of God’s saving grace? Would others see and be constrained to give thanks?
Randy Livingston serves as a chaplain for a local police department. He writes devotionals for his ministry which also appear at his blog, From the Chaplain. We republish this post by permission.
Photo by Slav Romanov on Unsplash