Rachel Workman: 3 Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, 2 and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker[a] in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, 3 and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. 4 Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come—and they did, as you well know. 5 That is why, when I could bear it no longer, I sent Timothy to find out whether your faith was still strong. I was afraid that the tempter had gotten the best of you and that our work had been useless.
The trials and testings that come to our lives as Christians are not accidents—they are appointments. We must expect to “suffer for his sake” (Phil. 1:29). Persecution is not foreign to the believer (1 Peter 4:12), but a normal part of the Christian life. Paul had repeatedly told them this while he was with them.
We must warn new believers that the way is not easy as they seek to live for Christ, otherwise, when trials come, these babes in Christ will be discouraged and defeated.
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John Burnett: 1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, 3 so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. Christ promised persecution for Christians. This persecution is not limited to the early Church. 4 For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it happened, as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be for nothing. Persecution of the Church tends to purify the Church of those who are playing Church. I once heard a story of a Russian Church that was meeting when a group of Russian Soldiers busted into the Church to stop the service. They told the congregates that you could save your life and leave if you wanted to but those who chose to stay for Christ's sake would be killed. The majority of the congregates left immediately and only a small group of worshipers were left waiting to die for Christ. Once, everyone who wanted to leave left, the soldiers closed the doors, put down their guns, and said," We didn't want to worship with those who don't belong to Christ," and they began hugging their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
This same persecution is taking place in China, yet the Church is growing at a very fast rate. Once the fullness of the gentiles takes place, Christ will return. With the growth of the Church in China, we are getting closer and closer to our redemption and glorification we are promised as adopted co-heirs with Christ. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
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Tomorrow’s reading for 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith and love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. 7 So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters,[b] because you have remained strong in your faith. 8 It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.
9 How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. 10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.
11 May God our Father and our Lord Jesus bring us to you very soon. 12 And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 13 May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
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