Thursday, October 29, 2020  

Today’s Scripture Reading  |  1 Thessalonians 2:9–13
You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. (NRSV)

Reflection
Jesus said it first: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). The Apostle Paul appeals to this memory among the new believers of Thessalonica. This letter was written in 51 A.D., occasioned by some in the church who were calling into question Paul’s authenticity as a spokesman for Jesus the Messiah. “You remember how gentle we were among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children, because you have become very dear to us . . . like a father with his own children.” As we seek to share our faith with others, can this be said about you? Can this be said about me?

Love is expressed in many ways. Paul reminds the Thessalonians how hard he worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:1–3) so he could pay his own way and not be a burden as he lived among them. He also had a convincing passion as he “pleaded with them to lead a life worthy of God.” Are you too “cool” about your relationship with Jesus, or do you have a contagious enthusiasm as you share your faith with others—when you are lifted up at times of adversity or challenge? There is a reason “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek words “possessed or inspired by God,” en-theos, God in us.

When you share something you have discovered in your faith, through a sermon or Bible study or an experience someone has told you about, an answer to prayer or a time God’s intervention came at some critical moment, does it sometimes feel that it clicked in the other person’s hearing? This is sometimes called a prophetic word. You and I have the same Holy Spirit that Paul had. “We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.” Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Dear God, fill us with the same love the Apostle Paul had for his disciples, that this love may indeed be the authenticating sign that we belong to you. And may that love be the bridge into peoples’ hearts as we share the good news. Fill us with the enthusiasm of a contagious faith, that we may spark new conviction and discovery in the lives of others. Amen.

Written by David Handley, Interim Minister for Pastoral Care

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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