AUTHENTIC JOY
When we meet people for the first time that we do not know, we can usually manage a smile and be polite. However, it is not always easy to be genuine. Most of the time it depends on what kind of day we are having. Others may be able to discern if we are being superficial, but there are times we just can’t help ourselves. In these times, others are likely able to determine the difference of our casual “glad to see you” and authentic joy. We cannot manufacture such genuine joy. We need to find a way to achieve authentic joy, so we don’t come off as an uncaring person. We can possess authentic joy when we are consumed with the gospel and the love of Christ. Since we are human, this is not easy to do. It takes prayer, reading God’s Word, and the constant help of the Holy Spirit. Authentic joy flows from a thorough, complete relationship with Jesus. Apostle Paul tells us about this type of relationship in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3
This Epistle is Paul’s first letter. He had been chased out of Thessalonica by the mob, made the best of his way to Athens, stayed there for a very short time, then he took himself to Corinth, and at some point, there, this letter was written. So, this was Paul’s first attempt, so far as we know, to preach the Gospel by writing letters of this type. It is interesting to notice how, whatever changes and developments there may have been in him thereafter, all the substantial elements of his latest faith is on display in this earliest letter, and how even in regard to trifles we see the hints of much that came afterwards. This same triad, we remember, ‘faith, hope, charity,’ recurs in the First Epistle to the Corinthians, though with a very significant difference in the order.
The letter is interesting on another account. Remembering that it was only a very short time since these Thessalonians had turned from idols to serve the living God, there is something very beautiful in the overflowing generosity of commendation, which never goes beyond veracity, with which he salutes them. Their Christian character, like seeds sown in some favored tropical land, had sprung up swiftly; yet not with the dangerous kind of swiftness which presages decay of the growth. It was only a few days since they had been gravelling before idols, but now he can speak of ‘our work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope’ . . . and declare that the Gospel ‘sounded out’ from them–the word which he employs is that which is technically used for the blast of a trumpet–’so that we need not to speak anything.’ Rapid growth is possible for us all and is not always superficial.
Following the opening address, as was typical in Paul’s writings (Galatians is the only exception), an expression of thanksgiving was offered. Paul was genuinely thankful for the believers in Thessalonica. Their loyalty to him and the gospel overflowed Paul’s heart with joy-authentic joy! The verb tense of the term rendered “thank”, along with the words “always” and “constantly”, indicate that Paul was consistent in his thankfulness and in his prayers for Thessalonian believers. The Thessalonians were a source of constant joy for Paul. So, Paul’s authentic joy was in others- not himself.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6
Paul was certain that the Thessalonian believers were among God’s elect, “beloved” and “chosen” by Him. He believed that it was impossible for people to respond to God if God had not previously taken the initiative by reaching out to them. Paul was convinced that the labors of the missionaries had been in keeping with God’s initiative in reaching out to the Thessalonians. They had not just spoken words, although Paul certainly did not depreciate the place of preaching in bringing conviction. God had affirmed their preaching by demonstrations of “power”. Interpreters generally assume that power refers to miraculous manifestations of the presence of God, as in healing, for an example. The Holy Spirit’s presence had also been clearly discernable in the presentation of the gospel. Moreover, the three missionaries had preached with a “full conviction”. This was in itself a manifestation of God’s presence in their lives. So, these three aspects of their ministry- power, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and great conviction- were evidence that they were the will of God in the missionary work which had resulted in the birth of the church in Thessalonica.
Paul emphasized the way the gospel was presented to the Thessalonians. Next, he wrote about the way they had responded to it. They became “imitators” of the missionaries and “of the Lord”. They responded to the authority of Paul’s preaching and became followers of the Lord. It had not been easy for the Thessalonians to respond to the preachers of the gospel. The “affliction” to which the letter refers is special kind of suffering. It is unjust and undeserved suffering that was because of commitment to Jesus Christ. But the Thessalonian Christians had not been negative and complaining. Indeed, the opposite was true. They had received the gospel with the “joy” that the Holy Spirit gives to believers.
Read 1 Thessalonians 7-10
This combination of affliction and joy is characteristic of genuine believers. The way the Thessalonians had received the word in the midst of great affliction made them “an example” for believers in the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia. We, however, must not interpret “example” in the wrong kind of way. We do not become Christians by following the example of anyone. We can only become Christians by the presence and power of God through our personal faith. The example of the Thessalonians bore witness to the divinely given realities of a life of faith. Such a course of conduct was possible to others who, inspired by the Thessalonians, also trusted God in the same way.
The news about the response of the Thessalonian believers to the gospel had spread rapidly. Indeed, it had preceded the arrival of the missionaries in other places. Instead of the missionaries themselves having to tell about what God had done in Thessalonica, they found other people already talking about it. “Everywhere” (v. 8) is hyperbole, of course. Paul meant “everywhere they had traveled”. Paul was primarily concerned about the result of the visit and not the personal welcome given to the missionaries. The results of the visit was that the Thessalonians had turned “from idols”. This implies that they were pagans and not Jews. According to Acts, some Jews had responded favorably to the gospel (Acts 17:4). Most of the members, however, must have been Gentiles.
They had turned “to God”. Paul could have stated that they had repented, for what he says corresponds exactly to the meaning of the word repentance. Repentance is a complete turning in the life, a radical change of direction. This turning to God is further explained by the verb “to serve” (v.9). The word literally means “to serve as a slave”. The commitment to God is complete and unreserved. Of course, it is voluntary commitment, a relationship into which believers enter joyfully and freely. In this way, it differs significantly from the involuntary, grudging service of the slave. The God of the Thessalonian believers differs from the pagan idols in that He is the “living and true God”. God is the only one who can be described as living because He is the only one who is indestructible.
The last aspect of the change in the lives of the believers is that their values and goals are no longer defined by the things of this world. Their life has a greater and higher end. Thus, they expectantly await the coming of the Savior, God’s “Son from heaven” (v.10). This hope is not mere wishful thinking. It is based upon what has already happened. God “raised” Jesus “from the dead”. This means that Jesus is alive. It also means that He has the power to deliver these who trust in Him completely. Paul taught that the salvation of the believer is complete. Paul affirmed that Jesus can be trusted to “rescue us from the coming wrath” (also in Rev. 3:10). May we all strive to attain such devotion and passion for God as we live out our lives in and through Christ today.
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