For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:8
There is a lovely song written by Bill Gaither, called Because He Lives. The chorus goes like this: ‘Because He lives. I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, All fear is gone. Because I know He holds the future, My life is worth the living just because He lives.’ Amen, Bill! What a glorious hope there is for us as Christians, knowing that the resurrection of Jesus Christ means we have life eternal through Him! Life truly does have meaning because of Him. And there are other things, too, that make life meaningful for us, that make it worthwhile to get out of bed in the morning, that make it tolerable for us to endure trials and persecution, that enable us to look beyond the pain and gloom and appreciate the good and wonderful. For some of us it is our families, our Assembly, or our work. For the apostle Paul, it was the knowledge that the Christians in Thessalonika were doing well. Would that be enough for us to take heart to go on living?
Paul had poured much effort and endured much pain to see the Gospel preached and an Assembly planted in Thessalonika. Because they were so young in the faith, he worried about how they would do. And he was unable to travel to visit them and check out their welfare for himself. Because he was so anxious for them, he sent Timothy to visit them, to encourage them, and to report back to himself on the state of the saints there. The report he received back was a good one. Timothy had found the Christians vibrant in their testimony and their faith. That must have thrilled Paul, because he cared so much for them. And in our text, he declares that life will continue to be worthwhile, if the Christians in Thessalonika stand fast in the Lord. You and I should be encouraged today, too, as we see the faithful Christians around us.
There is no doubt that the world, the flesh, and the devil are taking their toll on the Christians these days. And it is easy to become discouraged as we see so many of our young people losing sight of the truths in which they were brought up. Oh how passionately we ought to pray that God would do a great work of revival today among His people! But amid the discouragements and disappointments, many are remaining faithful. Many are still serving the Lord joyfully and are as diligent as ever in supporting the local Assembly and in striving together in Gospel outreach. Many young parents are still doing their best to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
As Christians living among other Christians, there is much to appreciate. And if the Lord does not return to take us home soon, we will have much to live for as we seek to stand fast in the Lord. – Jim MacIntosh