Day 765: Not in vain - 1 Thessalonians 3 vs 1 - 8

1-3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's co-worker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labour would be in vain.

6-8 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 - for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-8 English Standard Version

Can Christians give up and no longer be saved? That's a question that has caused a lot of debate. What was the concern that the apostle Paul expressed in vs 5?

He was worried that the hostile opposition the new Christians at Thessalonica were facing (inspired by Satan himself) may have caused them to give up and turn back to their idols. He had warned them to expect the suffering they were experiencing (vs 4), and that's why he sent Timothy to encourage them so that they would not be overcome by the hard times. (vs 1-3) But he was still worried that his work among them may have been in vain. What was the happy outcome? (vs 6-8)

Timothy had brought news that the Thessalonians had kept their faith and they were as keen to see Paul again as he was to see them. It brought Paul a tremendous sense of relief and joy. Does this help us with the question about whether Christians can fall away from the faith?

What it suggests to me is that it’s a subject we should not be glib about, and it can't be answered by a generalized slogan. We must be careful of casually saying 'once saved, always saved'. Paul's words suggest that it is very possible for people who have heard the gospel, and professed faith in Jesus, to turn away because of fierce persecution. In fact, years later in a letter to Timothy, he even spoke of a fellow worker named Demas who 'loved this world' and deserted Paul when Paul was in prison. So people who once identified as Christians do sometimes turn away from Christ.

What we don't know, however, is what the true state of their hearts was of those who turn away. Jesus described this in a parable of a man who sowed some seed, and the different results that followed. He said that some people who hear God's word receive it with joy, but have no root. They believe for a while, but in time of testing they fall away. Some others receive the word, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and they never produce the fruit God looks for. But there are also those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

When people hold tightly onto God's word and sincerely and patiently persevere, they will not be moved by the troubles, or temptations, they meet up with. They cling to the promise Jesus made when He said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28) We see that in the Thessalonians. They were kept by Christ as they stood firm in their faith.

If we have received God's word and believed on Christ we must stand firm too. But we must also keep looking to our God “who is able to keep us from stumbling, and able to present us blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy.” (Jude 1:24) He can keep us faithful till the end of our journey so that we will not have heard the gospel in vain.