Based on 1 Thessalonians 1 (New King James Version)
“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
Today we read about the Thessalonians—people who stood out in the way they lived for the glory of God. We see this very clearly in the introduction the Apostle Paul himself gives to his letter, where he places specific emphasis on their actions. He spoke of the works they performed in accordance with their true faith, the labor they undertook out of love, and their steadfastness—meaning they were not driven by emotion or how they felt in the moment, but rather demonstrated a consistent, faithful way of life. When we look at their testimony and compare it to the teachings of God’s Word, it is evident that they were truly genuine followers of Christ. This should prompt us to carefully examine all that this entails, so that we, too, may follow their example. Of course, the Lord Jesus Christ is our ultimate example; yet the Lord Himself teaches us that we should follow those whom God honors, just as He said: “Therefore the LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30. So, it is to our benefit to understand all of this even better so that we can apply it to our lives.
The first thing Paul mentions is their faith. We understand from the Scriptures that faith is not something merely felt or spoken, but something that goes beyond that. And he puts it this way: “…your work of faith…” implying that true faith is seen through works. And this aligns very well with many other passages of the Word, as James, for example, states: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” James 2:14. And he continues saying this a little further ahead: “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:17-26. Therefore, it must be very clear to us that good works are essential in the Christian life; and if they are absent or not visible, then that life does not glorify God.
Some might argue: "Are you implying, then, that salvation is obtained through works? Are we not saved solely by grace, through faith, and nothing else?" The explanation lies in what we have just read: if faith lacks good works—if there is nothing tangible, both to God and to others, that legitimately demonstrates our faith in Christ (that is, doing what the Lord commanded and modeled)—then that faith is in vain. As James, inspired by the Holy Spirit, states, such faith is dead. And if such faith is dead—if there is no life in it—can there be eternal life? No. It is impossible for there to be life in something that is dead. Now, one might argue that good works are either the product of the Holy Spirit’s inspiration or the result of a person striving to obey God because they value their faith in Christ. Regardless of the motivation, the crucial point is that good works must be present, without exception; and this is because the fruit of the Spirit becomes visible precisely through those works—namely: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
And the other thing Paul mentions is their steadfastness. The true Christian—despite the imperfection that still remains in his life (because sin is still present in our members)—is steadfast; he continues following the path whatever comes their way, regardless of the circumstances. Patience is, in fact, part of the fruit of the Spirit, as we just read. Now, an argument might arise as to whether a true believer remains steadfast because the Spirit compels him to do so, or because he takes his faith in Christ seriously and therefore maintains that steadfastness. Yet, just as with works, it matters not which of the two reasons or viewpoints applies; the main point is that we must persevere—we must be steadfast—because if we are not, if we do not abide in Him, we will not reach the end. The Lord said: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:5-6.
Thus, we can conclude that what glorifies God is good works and perseverance—both of which are made possible only when we have true faith—because: “…without faith it is impossible to please Him…” Therefore, we conclude as follows: “Then one said to Him, ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’ And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.’” Luke 13:23-24. So, will you use your free will and freedom in Christ to choose to live a life that glorifies God, to obtain eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!