THE FAITH CHECK
1 Thessalonians 3:5-8 NKJV
5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.
6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
Paul had been used by God to start the church in Thessalonica. But he could not stay with them and had to continue to fulfill his mission of starting more churches. However, these Thessalonian believers were still important to Paul. He mentioned that he was not there in presence, but he was with them in heart. Just as loved ones who move away are always in your heart.
Paul had no way of knowing how the Thessalonian church was doing. He could not call or text, and there was no way to send an overnight letter. So Paul sent Timothy, one of his most trusted staff members. And he sent Timothy for one reason: to check on their faith. Were these young believers still believing, or had the pressure and the enemy enticed them away from their new found relationship with Christ?
Paul was not inquiring about how they were getting along in their careers and businesses. He was not interested in who had gotten married or gone through a divorce. No, what brought Paul great comfort was that Timothy brought back word of the Thessalonians' faith and love. Even though Paul himself was going through difficult times, he was able to be comforted by the faith of Christians in Thessalonica. What Paul said in verse eight revealed his heart. He stated that he lived if they stood fast in the Lord.
To a certain extent, I can understand what Paul is saying. Seeing people come to Christ and have their lives turn around and then fall away from the Lord is heart-wrenching. As a pastor, I see people go through all kinds of difficulties and traumatic experiences. But what is the most painful is watching people who used to love the Lord step away from their faith. Because when it's all said and done, our life with the Lord is the only thing about us that we will carry into the next life. The things we are so concerned about down here will not even matter on the other side. But what we do for the Lord and His kingdom matters significantly.
There are many things in life that we count as valuable. Please don't underestimate the value of your faith in Christ and your love for Him. For now, I live if you stand fast in the Lord.