“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
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In last week’s post, we focused on our duty to pray for one another. Being a part of God’s family is a beautiful thing. Through Scripture, the Holy Spirit constantly urges us to do many things for one another. Approximately 34 different verses encourage us to consider one another. In addition to those 34 verses, many other places in the New Testament teach the same principle. Such is the case with 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3.
Last week’s verse, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, admonished us to “mention” one another in our prayers. We are to mention each other to the Lord, showing our appreciation for fellow believers.
Now, in verse 2, the Holy Spirit continues with that thought.
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
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Note the word “remembering.” It simply means the act of calling to mind. Thus, as Paul mentioned them by name to the Lord, he remembered several characteristics concerning these believers. Now, you must remember that even though this Paul penning these words, the Holy Spirit is writing this letter. For that reason, it is incredible to think how the Holy Spirit regarded these believers. Three specific qualities came to mind when they were mentioned in prayer.
First, these believers demonstrated a functioning faith. The Holy Spirit notes their “work of faith.” In the book of James, we are given this description of faith.
“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)
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Many people claim to be individuals of faith. However, when you look at the fruit of their lives, nothing shows proof of that faith. Instead, they act and speak just like the rest of the unbelieving world. This was not the case with the Thessalonian believers. The Holy Spirit Himself testified that they lived out their faith each day. It was evident from their daily lives that they truly believed in God and His promises. They were not just hearers of God’s Word but doers as well. (James 1:22)
The second quality that came to mind about the Thessalonian believers was this. Not only were they known for their functioning faith, but also for their laboring love. The word “labor” in verse 2 gives a slightly different connotation than the word “work.” The word “work” indicates the act of working. However, the term “labor” adds the element of weariness resulting from hard labor. Essentially, these believers were known for laboring to exhaustion as they expressed Biblical love to others. Their love knew no bounds. They even put aside their own physical welfare to love others sacrificially. What a difference it would make in our families, our churches, and our communities if believers today embraced that same demonstration of love in their lives each day! This quality of laboring love is the same quality seen in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He willingly sacrificed His physical welfare for our salvation. Christ suffered a cruel death on the cross of Calvary. However, He did so because He loved us. As His followers, we are commanded to have that same type of love for other people.
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4:7–11)
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The last quality remembered concerning the Thessalonian believers was their promise-based patience. You will note they had a “patience of hope.” I use that term based on the definition of the word “hope.” The word “hope” suggests a favorable and confident expectation. These believers fully accepted all the promises of God and were optimistic that He would fulfill His promises. For that reason, they readily expected Him to do so and patiently waited on Him. Yes, we understand His promises. And, yes, we, to a point, wait on Him to fufill them. Unfortunately, we are too impatient. Too many times, we get ahead of God. We want God to act according to our timetable and not His. It was not so with the Thessalonian believers. They learned how to simply wait on God, allowing Him to determine when He will answer or do as He promised.
Each of these qualities should be reflected in our lives as believers also. We are to be people who have functioning faith. It is not enough to say you follow the Lord. Your deeds must match your words. Are you living a life that outwardly demonstrates your faith in the Lord? As people mention your name, do they remember your labor of love? Do they say you are a person who always puts the needs of others before your own desires and needs? What about your willingness to wait patiently upon the Lord? Do you find yourself growing impatient? May we remember the example of these Thessalonian believers by committing to life such as theirs! In time, may the Holy Spirit also remember without ceasing our work of faith, a labor of love, and patience of hope!