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
Every time I pass by a certain house on a certain highway, I remember an old friend of mine who used to live there. We had some unusual and exciting experiences together, sharing some hard knocks and some good times. So when I see the dormers of that old house, those experiences with my friend flood back into my memory, and for a few moments, I am back in his presence again. Memories of old friends are precious, as we all know. Those memories of my old friend are not always with me, but only when I pass by his old house. That was not the case with Paul as he recalled his dear friends in Thessalonika; he had them in memory all the time, as our text relates. There were three things that kept their memories fresh for him.
Firstly, the saints in Thessalonika were remarkable for their work of faith. Because their faith was real, their works were evident. They were a clear demonstration of the truth that faith without works is dead (James 2:20). These folks had a good testimony of good works that proved to those around them that their conversion was genuine. Paul was so impressed with this that he kept these dear saints in his memory.
Next, these believers were noted for their labour of love. Like the slave who has been bought by a generous man to be set free, the Thessalonians loved the One Who had delivered them, and were willing to devote their lives to service and labour for Him. Love is the greatest motivator to effort in the entire world. And as we appreciate the Saviour and His great sacrificial love for us, we are motivated to serve Him. It was that motivation that kept Paul’s memory of the Thessalonians fresh.
Whatever ‘patience of hope’ means, it was a hallmark of the Thessalonian Christians. Their hope in Christ caused them to be consistent and willing to endure trials and testing. Their confidence in His compassion for them, in His care for them, and in His coming for them led them to accept current conditions in the knowledge that it would be better on before. They were like the good ground hearers in the parable of Luke 8:15, of whom it was said that they brought forth fruit with patience. No wonder that Paul could not forget them.
How impressed would visitors to our Assembly today be with our work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ? -Jim MacIntosh