Live in the Lord

By: Scott Morton

1 Thessalonians 3:4-8

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. [5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. [6] But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: [7] Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: [8] For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

As the Apostle Paul is writing to the assembly in Thessalonica, he starts to speak about some things related to the life that they, and all members of the Body of Christ, will be living because of the gospel. There are certain things which come up because of the opposition of Satan to what God is doing today.

Paul starts this discussion speaking about when they were with them in Thessalonica. This goes back to the book of Acts:

Acts 17:1-10

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: [2] And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, [3] Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. [4] And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. [5] But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. [6] And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; [7] Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. [8] And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. [9] And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. [10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

The good of what happened there is the establishment of a local assembly after only being there for three weeks. They were able to accept what was being said to them as the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13) and see the production of the work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3) produced by the Word. This is something tremendous which occurred and Paul has held them up throughout this epistle for this occurring.

There also is some bad things which happened here, which become important as we go through this study. There was tribulation which came upon him based on the rejection of the message which he was preaching. Paul does make it clear that this is not being caused by God:

1 Thessalonians 1:10

And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

In these two verses Paul makes it clear we will not be facing the wrath of God. This is important, as there is not the same protection promised to Israel, who is told they are going to have to endure to the end. This also is important because there are those who think we are living in this time now. They watch things on the news and are quick to point out that there are bad things going on and then they twist them around to try to make them fit prophecy. We are not in the times of the signs.

Paul points out we are in a different position with God:

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

At the beginning of each of his epistles, Paul brings up the issue of the peace we have. This peace comes directly from God. We are not facing His wrath, judgment, chastisement, or any other term which we would want to call it. However, there is something which Paul does tell us:

Philippians 1:29

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Even though it is not God pouring these things out on us, the Word of God states we are going to be facing some problems in our lives. We are going to have to suffer for His sake, which is something said about the ministry of Paul beginning with his salvation (Acts 9:16). There never was a promise of everything being great because we were remaining faithful. We can see from the example of the Apostle Paul the problems he faced in his life because of the stand for the Word of God:

2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. [24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

This list of things which the Apostle Paul suffered would frighten many individuals, as they would probably have given up long before this list had made it to this length. It is noteworthy to indicate this list was just from the point the wrote this epistle, which was early in his ministry. He had years of preaching this message and was going to suffer many other things as he continued. We see the Apostle Paul understood why he was facing these things and they were not a discouragement to him.

Paul knew what the suffering was going to accomplish for him. This is why he had written in this same epistle prior to this a passage which many people would rather have not had him write:

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Paul calls what we are going through right now as something which is happening for a moment. When someone is in the middle of a problem, it does not feel like it is going to be a temporary thing. It oftentimes feels as if it is never going to end. Paul states this is not the case and calls the things light affliction as well. This was something he was calling all of the things which were going on. Having read the list which he wrote in chapter 11 it is hard to call these things light affliction in our eyes, but this is how Paul saw them and the Word of God indicates they are considered to be.

The reason they can be seen this way is because there is a glory which is associated with them. This glory, which will be reflected in the position we receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ is considered to be far more exceeding, meaning it is going to be worth so much more than the problems which have been experienced. Paul also states it is eternal, which is in contrast to the issue of being for a moment. When we look at the definition of the word eternal we see the following (Webster's 1828 Dictionary):

ETER'NAL, a. [L. oeternus, composed of oevum and ternus, oeviternus, Varro. The origin of the last component part of the word is not obvious. It occurs in diuturnus, and seems to denote continuance.]

1. Without beginning or end of existence.

The eternal God is thy refuge. Deu 33.

2. Without beginning of existence.

To know whether there is any real being, whose duration has been eternal.

3. Without end of existence or duration; everlasting; endless; immortal.

That they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Tim 2.

What shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Mat 19.

Suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 7.

4. Perpetual; ceaseless; continued without intermission.

And fires eternal in thy temple shine.

5. Unchangeable; existing at all times without change; as eternal truth

We see from these definitions the issue of there being no end to the things which are eternal. This is why we see God described using this term and the promise which has been given to us of eternal life and the glory which was spoken of in the 2 Corinthians 4. The things which happen here are bringing about something for us in the heavenly places which is far greater than we can even think of.

The issue Paul also addresses is related to what is going on now, as we do need to be able to get through these situations. There needs to be some comfort for us in these problems, which Paul does state we have:

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [4] Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. [5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. [6] And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. [7] And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

Here we see the Apostle Paul speaking of the comfort which we are supposed to have as the members of the Body of Christ. The true comfort we need can only come from God and comes to us through what the Word gives us. This is why we are instructed to study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15) and told we are to be sharing this with others (Ephesians 3:8-9). We need to be able to help individuals whenever we can to be able to have the comfort needed to be able to deal with the tribulation which comes.

Paul then speaks about he sent to know of their faith. He knew a lot about them through his through his three Sabbath days stay in the city. As he writes this epistle, he speaks about where they were at with certain things, as we already saw earlier in 1 Thessalonians 1:3. As the epistle continues we see him state the following:

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

He heard about how they were receiving the information given to them as the Word of God. By stating this he knew they were growing in faith, as the Word is what produces faith in the life of an individual (Romans 10:17). By the fact they were taking the things in as the Word of God, they were applying it to their lives and it was producing the necessary change for them.

When Paul speaks about receiving things we see how we uses the term us and doesn't always put things on himself. This runs contrary to what many individuals do, as they tend to see themselves as the authority and put themselves in a position the Word would never have done. This is why we see what Paul wrote to the assembly in Corinth:

1 Corinthians 3:6-10

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. [8] Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. [9] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

The focus has never been on the individual who is communicating the truth, but is supposed to be on the truth of the Word. Man has a tendency to raise up individuals and create an almost celebrity status for individuals, which then tends to imply they are to be seen as the expert. While we might have favorite individuals we listen to communicating the Word of God, the focus is always on the Word itself, as this is what is going to produce faith in an individual and is the only thing which can produce the needed change in someone's life. The Body of Christ works together to build each other up, which is what the Apostle Paul is speaking of here in this text.

2 Timothy 1:13-14

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

As part of the functioning of the members of the Body of Christ related to the Word, we are being instructed to hold fast to it. We need to make sure we are keeping a firm grip on the truth which has been communicated to us by the Apostle Paul for our lives. This is the encouragement we need to be able to get through the things in life and be working to get this message out to others.

There are many things which are going to try to take us away from the truth. This is why the next part of our text speaks of the tempter tempting individuals. Paul is speaking of how Satan is functioning and the attack which comes upon believers. He tells us how Satan does function today, which is not how most people think:

2 Corinthians 11:3-4

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Here Paul goes back to what happened in the beginning to show the issue. Satan comes and has a conversation with Eve. He starts by asking a simple question to gain the understanding of her knowledge on what God has said. When he sees that she does not demonstrate the proper knowledge, he then is able to manipulate her understanding of this to move her farther away from what God wanted. This subtilty shows a level of trickery to pull people away from the truth to a false understanding of what is going on.

The Word also speaks of what is happening today:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Paul shows how the real battleground is over what the things of the Word of God says. Individuals today think Satan is behind all of the bad things of the world and is convincing people to do these things. They think he is behind casinos, strip clubs, bars, and any other bad thing they want to speak of. The Word of God shows the issue is actually what is being taught in local assemblies. The danger in the assembly is the goal of Satan to pull individuals away from the truth of what God's Word says. Once the lie is believed, then the only thing to happen is to work to keep those in that place. This is where the following happens:

1 Timothy 4:1-5

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Paul states this is going to happen in what he is calling the latter times, which is a way of describing what is going to happen as time goes on and we get closer to the end of this dispensation. He is talking about how individuals are going to depart from the faith. They are going to follow the lie taking them away from the Word of God. Their conscience is going to be seared, meaning they will resist the truth when it is being shared with them by individuals attempting to help them see what the Word of God is saying. Paul does give a couple of examples in this passage to show how this is going to work so that Timothy would know the danger which was coming.

In his second epistle to Timothy we see how Paul continues to address this and gives a warning to help in the dealing with individuals who have fallen into this trap:

2 Timothy 2:24-26

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Paul states how the individuals who have ended up in the position of believing the lie have been taken captive by the devil. They are in a snare created by the lie and we see how Paul states they are not able to see the truth right now. His prayer is for God to be able to help them out in this manner, which is why we are to be gentle with these individuals. This is something which many members of the Body of Christ struggle with. Too often the response to someone teaching something we do not agree with is to start screaming at them and then to quickly quote Romans 16:17-18 and tell everyone we know to mark and avoid this person. How can we say these things are being gentle? What if they are actually right in what they are saying and we have quickly dismissed something because it is actually our conscience which has been seared to prevent us from seeing the truth of what God is saying? There is a responsibility we have to protect ourselves from error, but we are also to be studying the Word of God, which means we need to actually be open to the possibility we are wrong. If nobody ever did this there are many things we would still be teaching as truth today (water baptism, salvation only by works, etc.) because they were the accepted truth.

We do need to help individuals come to the truth. Our role as an ambassador for Christ is to help individuals receive and salvation and for them to come to the knowledge of the truth. In order for this to happen, there are certain things which we are to do. Paul explains a couple of these in the book of Titus:

Titus 1:13-15

This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; [14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. [15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Here the Apostle Paul shows how the rebuking is to come, which is through the Word of God. We are to share things in order for this to happen. This also needs to be done out of love, which means we need to not call each other names or scream at someone who is not believing the same things you do. These things happen very frequently and are justified in the mind of those doing it by saying they are sharply rebuking the individual. The sharpness comes from the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit and not through our actions.

Titus 2:1-8

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: [2] That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. [3] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; [4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. [6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. [7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, [8] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Paul here is encouraging the use of sound doctrine and then speaks about the effectiveness of the doctrine. We can see the impact the Word of God is supposed to have by seeing these examples listed by Paul here. The Word can have a definite impact and we need to allow this to work.

Galatians 6:1-2

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. [2] Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

The instruction here is to restore the individual. This is to be done in a manner of meekness, which is not something which comes naturally to individuals. They look at this being equivalent to weakness and do not want to be seen in this manner. Meekness simply means softness of temper or gentleness. If I walk up to someone who is struggling with following sound doctrine and I start screaming at them, will they really look at what I am saying? The only result from this is I might feel good in the moment and have some self-satisfaction of doing something for God. However, I have not done what God would actually want me to do. The Apostle Paul continues on in the same capture discussing how we should interact with each other:

Galatians 6:10

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Our opportunities to do good are every interaction we have with someone. The way we treat others can go a long way to helping someone see the truth of what is being said in the Word of God. This is because they would be seeing the doctrine being reflected in what we are doing. If we are properly following the information for us today, we will help out all individuals.

Paul states we should be doing good until all men. There is a statement of how there is to be a special focus on those who are of the household of faith, meaning saved individuals. We are to be making sure to do good towards them in a manner which lines up with the Word. We can see how this continues to be a theme throughout Paul's epistles:

Titus 2:11-15

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. [15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Here we see some things of how Paul speaks about our justification (verse 11), our sanctification (verse 12), and our glorification (verse 13). Paul speaks about how we are to be living righteously and godly, speaking of how it is individuals should be living. This would have been something which Paul would have known the individuals in Thessalonica would have been doing, as he heard about how it is they were living. He states how he heard of their faith, meaning they were allowing the Word of God to be working in them. This is something we see him say about other individuals as well:

Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul states here how their faith was being spoken of throughout the world. This would be speaking of how everywhere he was going he was hearing about the faith being demonstrated by these individuals. Paul states he has never met them, but he hears about this. This is a testament to the influence faith can have and should be a motivation for us to make sure we are demonstrating this as we go about our daily lives.

1 Thessalonians 1:3

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;

The individuals Paul wrote the epistle to where we saw our original text were also demonstrating this faith. He calls this to mind at the beginning of the epistle. It is important to note the Apostle Paul only spent three Sabbath days in Thessalonica, yet their work of faith had this much of an impact on him. His calling this to mind, which he says was being done without ceasing, showed the impact it had on him. It became a motivating factor for him in his ministry as he was able to see how this could impact the entire world.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. [11] When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. [12] For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. [13] And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

When Paul was writing to the individuals in Corinth the sign gifts were still present. He was giving them some instructions on their purpose and how they should function during this time. Paul also speaks about how they were going to fade away when that which is perfect is come. Many individuals today think this is speaking of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not what Paul is speaking of here. As he is speaking about things related to the knowledge which is present, this is the focus. When Paul is given the last of the word for this dispensation, the Word of God would be complete, or perfect. This is what he was making a reference to. Now that the Word of God has been made perfect, the sign gifts are no longer part of what is being done during this dispensation.

Paul speaks about what is going to abide, which is the issues of faith, hope, and charity. These are the things which we saw were present in the assembly in Thessalonica and what he holds up to others as an example of how the members of the Body of Christ should be functioning today. He wants us to know the proper result of the doctrine working out in our lives, which would be the demonstration of the faith which the Word of God gives us.

It was a comfort for Paul as he continued in his ministry to know individuals were demonstrating this faith. It is very easy for people to walk away from the truth, which is what we see Paul warning against over and over throughout his epistles. The last book of the Bible written, 2 Timothy, contains several of these warnings:

2 Timothy 1:13-14

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

This should be the focus we have. If we are following the instructions on how to study (2 Timothy 2:15) the Word will be built up in us to where we will be able to live the life God intends for us to live.