Our Faith affects others
(1 Thessalonians 3:1-10)
The Thessalonians were ensamples unto all those in Macedonia and Achaia. This can be seen by looking at the examples Paul gave them in Chapter 2 and how they followed. The key to this was said to be how they received the word of God as the word of God and not the word of man (1 Thessalonians 2:13). When one believes and follows the word of God his faith will be increased (Romans 10:17) and when faith is increased it will affect others as we see in this lesson.
What is going on in the passage?
While Paul is stuck at Athens, he greatly desires to know the state of the Thessalonians. Therefore, he sends Timotheus to find out how the Thessalonians are doing. He is worried that through affliction the adversary as he calls him the “tempter” may have tempted them and that they are no longer faithfully serving God.
Timotheus sends a good report of how the Thessalonians are still in the faith and serving God desiring also to see Paul once again. This brings Paul great Joy and note the statement he makes concerning these people.
Verse 8 “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”
I do not think that if Timotheus had sent a bad report that Paul would have quit or even died physically, he did not quit when Demas quit on him (2 Timothy 4:10). Possibly what Paul is saying is that his life is all about having his converts continue in the faith. Either way the fact is given that our faith affects others. Then the question becomes is your faith affecting anyone and if so in what way?
Ways that our faith affects others:
1) Our testimony’s sake (Romans 14:1-8)
- The passage here is dealing with those who are weak in the faith and eating doubtful things or recognizing one day above another.
- Note that in verse 7 no man lives to himself alone and no man dies to himself alone. Our lives affect others. But the context of the next verse says that we live unto the Lord.
- Therefore, our lives are really the Lords and if we live by faith we will please him. This will allow us to have a good testimony which will affect others.
- But if we do not follow God then we will have a bad testimony for the Lord.
2) It encourages others to carry on (1 Thessalonians 3:8)
- Now I realize that if someone is living for God or not living for God based on what I do that I am not totally responsible for what they do. Everyone will give his own account at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
- But wouldn’t it be great to get to the Judgment seat of Christ and find out that your faith helped someone instead of hurting them.
3) It can multiply unto others (Acts 16:5)
- With a good testimony and witnessing for the Lord others can get saved and then in turn grown in the faith just as we see happening in the Thessalonians.
4) It leaves a legacy (Hebrews 11)
- We do not have the space here to study every person in the list of Hebrews 11 but note that what they did was by faith and those people faith are still affecting people today.
- The key here is to keep your faith strong until the end (Hebrews 9:16). Remember the way you finish is what people remember.
The last thing for us to note is that in verses 9-10 Paul thanks God and gives glory to him for the joy that the Thessalonians bring him. Has anyone ever Glorified and thanked God on your behalf? If not maybe you should increase your faith.