An epistle for young Christians, and the older ones !

Thursday March 24, 2022

An epistle for young Christians, and the older ones !

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We constantly tell God how grateful we are to you all by mentioning you in our prayers. We constantly remember the work of your faith, the work of your love and the firmness of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before God our Father. We know brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you. 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

It is likely to think that the Christians of Thessalonica had only recently come to know Jesus Christ when Paul wrote to them. He hardly had time to instruct them when he had to leave them, leaving them the object of persecution. Worried, he writes to them of the immense affection he has for them and reminds them of the marks of love he has received from them. It also renews essential teachings without the practice of which there is no Christian life.

The new life received by these new converts is manifested by a great fervor that is reflected in all their behavior :

Their work of faith. Their trust in God their Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ overcomes the obstacles placed by the Gentile or Jewish world. Oh, if we all had that faith that knows and calls on the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5) !

Their labor of love. No laziness with them ! Love for others drives them to dedication ; in this they are imitators of the Lord who came to earth to serve men before giving his life as a ransom for them. During the epistle, Paul writes to them : May the Lord increase and overflow the love you have for one another and for all men, like the one we have for you ! (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Let us ask the Lord not to remain centered on ourselves and our personal interests. May he fill us with love for others, every day and in all circumstances !

Their patience of hope. These young believers had learned from Paul that the Lord would soon return. This expectation allowed them to patiently endure the difficulties they faced. The return of the Lord is closer today than ever. So let's all live, young and old, as devoted servants for their Master. The thought of seeing him soon energizes us to live as people who are called by God to his own kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)