andrew dodson

My study of I Thessalonians is wrapping up this weekend. While reading this book daily, two particular passages have caught my attention. Wouldn’t it be great to hear this about our churches?

1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 Listen

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 Listen

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

Next, Paul tells us twice that it is God who sanctifies us. How refreshing to know that as long as we allow God to work in our lives, He’ll draw us closer to him. Our sanctification isn’t based on our works, but our desire to allow God to work through us. In fact, have you ever wanted to know the will of God? Paul answers this question in two words - our sanctification (4:3a).

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 Listen

12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 Listen

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

We’re told to respect our pastors, elders, leaders & teachers. Be of encouragement to those that may be weaker in the faith, or lack faith completely. Pray continuously and practice discernment:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 Listen

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

I thank God for the opportunity to learn and grow from His Word.  Just as James tells us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you,” (4:8), I’ve felt extremely close to God in the past thirty days by drawing near to Him daily in my study of Thessalonians.  I encourage all of you to find a way of studying the Bible that works for you and do it.  Do it every day.  You won’t be disappointed, I promise.