I'm reminded again how helpful it is to read the epistles within the chronological context of the book of Acts. In today's chapter, Paul recounts a time period that we just read about in Acts a few days ago.
Remember that Paul and Silas may have spent no more than a month in Thessalonica before they were run out of town by jealous Jews (17:1-10). So naturally they were concerned about the young believers whom they had left behind after their premature departure. Paul had attempted to return to Thessalonica several times, but was "thwarted" by Satan (2:18). Worried that the young believers may have abandoned their faith under the fires of persecution, Paul eventually sent Timothy from Athens to Thessalonica, an event not recorded in the book of Acts. His hope was that Timothy would find believers who were holding fast, and a church not needing to be salvaged, but only strengthened and encouraged.
To Paul's great relief, Timothy returned to Athens with a good report. The young Christians in Thessalonica were holding firm in their trials, and their faith was evident by their love.
Paul obviously believed what Jesus plainly taught, that those who initially receive the gospel with joy may end up falling away when they face the "affliction and persecution [that] arises because of the word" (see Matt. 13:5-6, 20-21). Paul was concerned that his labor in Thessalonica may have been "in vain" (3:5). Clearly, he would not make such a statement if he believed in the modern doctrine of "unconditional eternal security," often referred to as "once saved always saved." There is no way that Paul's work could have been in vain if people in Thessalonica ultimately escaped hell because of his preaching. If, however, it is possible for believers to stop believing, and if continuing in faith is a requirement to gain entrance into heaven, then the possibility existed that all of Paul's labor could be for nothing.
Paul would later promise the Christians at Colossae that Jesus would present them before God "holy and blameless and beyond reproach," but only if they would "continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel" (Col. 1:23, emphasis added). Obviously, if people are saved through faith, then those who don't have faith are not saved, even if they possessed it previously. This is why Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers, "For now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord" (3:8, emphasis added). Paul would not have made such a statement had he believed there were no adverse consequences for those who did not stand firm in the Lord.
I remember once hearing one of America's most famous preachers quote Jesus' promise, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Based on that promise he declared that, if one believed for any moment of time, that person was saved and eternally secure, even if he never believed again. His conclusion was based on the fact that "Jesus said, 'He who has believed' (past tense)." I wondered why he didn't keep reading Jesus' very next words in Mark 16:16: "But he who has disbelieved shall be condemned," and apply the same logic. If he had, he would have had to conclude that if anyone disbelieved for any moment of time, that person was condemned and eternally damned, even if he never disbelieved again.
Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians at the end of today's reading reveals what truly is the most important thing: "May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people...so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus" (3:12-13). Loving others---by the ability that God gives---is the preeminent thing. That is the essence of true holiness. It will be the only thing any of us are concerned about when Jesus returns.
Incidentally, Paul's "night and day" prayers to be reunited with the Thessalonians---for their spiritual benefit---were answered, as he was able to return to Thessalonica during his third missionary journey.
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David Servant ( - )
David Servant is the Founder of Heavens Family, helping the least of these world-wide. David Servant has been serving in ministry since 1979 as a church-planter, pastor, teacher and missionary. When David Servant read the results of his high-school vocational aptitude test, he laughed. The results told him that he was best suited for a career in ministry or in entertainment. At the time, David's future goal was to live in a log cabin in the wilderness and live off the land for the rest of his life. The Lord, however, had different plans for David Servant. God didn't intend for him to run away from the world, but rather to play a part in changing the world by building God's kingdom. David received his call to ministry during his (reluctant) freshman year at Penn State, and one year later was enrolled in Bible School.David Servant is the author of eight books, including Forever Rich, and the The Disciple-Making Minister, a 500-page equipping manual that has been translated into more than 20 languages and is being distributed to tens of thousands of pastors.