I’m currently preaching through First Thessalonians on Sunday evenings. It is no surprise that the intentional examination of Scripture reaps joy in one’s soul. This is indeed happening.
In chapter 3, the Apostle Paul discloses his longing to be present with the believers in the church. He had already shown that he had been hindered from traveling to the city so he sent Timothy, his missionary partner, with hope to hear reports of how the church was doing in the midst of the current afflictions they were enduring.
The report from Timothy was encouraging. The church was faithful and not willing to give in to the pressure from the tempter to abandon their faith. Because of this good news from the footman, Timothy, the apostle reports “for now we really live.”
Similar to what Jesus said that he did not come that one might simply have life but that they might have life “more abundantly.”
Sometimes when I walk into my church office I notice there is a voice mail. Today, I can guess that nearly 80% of phone calls to our church office are for an extended warranty for a car, student loan something, or the IRS is looking for me because of “suspicious” activity usage of my Social Security number. It’s always exciting to hear an actual voice of a real person.
Today, there were two real live persons who left a voice mail.
The first one was from a person looking for information about what we did when our city library promoted lifestyles contrary to the glory of God. They are working on something in their city and heard that we had appealed to our city library to relocate a promotion in the children’s area of our library.
The other one was this. “There is nothing good about what you do or who you are. You are an absolute disgrace to our country.” And if that was not enough, the caller wanted to be sure I heard him clearly before he hung up without a return phone number or the courage to leave his name, “Again, there is NOTHING good about what you do or who you are.”
Not even a “have a good day.” How rude.
The letter from Paul was to encourage the church in her affliction to stand tall and faithful. I’m currently being canceled in various ways and places in my community from this increasing marshmallowy society but, by the grace of God, I have a church that has a secured preaching post of truth.
Rejoice, church, for now, we really live…
“Now we really live…”
1 Thessalonians 3:8
