1-2 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3-4 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5 English Standard Version

The Holy Spirit has kept for the Church both letters the apostle Paul wrote to those who had turned to Christ in Thessalonica. I suspect it was because both letters speak of events related to the return of Jesus Christ, things that are important for all believers through the years until that great day arrives. Once again he opens with a familiar greeting that included the names of his co-workers who were well known to the Thessalonians. Paul wasn’t a man who wanted the focus to be on himself. What was it that stirred his heart so much about those Christians that he constantly thanked God for them? (vs 3-4)

Despite fierce opposition to the gospel and severe affliction they were going through, they had grown stronger rather than weaker in their faith! Not only had their faith grown stronger, but their love for fellow Christians had grown deeper. Remember, these believers probably came from some very different backgrounds. Some may have been slaves, others wealthy business owners. Perhaps some soldiers had been converted, and some who ran taverns or brothels. Perhaps some who’d been very promiscuous had repented and turned to Christ. And now there was a mutual care and concern for one another.

The reputation of that Church was such that Paul was able to use them as an example to others of what Churches should be like. I wonder whether that could be said of the Church we are currently a part of. Squabbles and divisions seem to plague so many Churches. Could it be that the absence of persecution in many western Churches has contributed to apathy when it comes to deep love and concern for others?

What is the surprising thing that it led Paul to say about that Church? (vs 5)

He says that what they were experiencing was “evidence of the righteous judgement of God.” I found that quite a difficult statement to grasp. But I've only given half of the statement he made and, God willing, will look at the rest of it next time. I would suggest, though, that there are two sides to any judgment. A judgment can rule in favour of someone, or against them. In this case, God's judgment was in their favour. They were commended for their endurance, and their endurance was evidence of God's blessing upon them. The trials God permitted them to go through proved they were worthy citizens of His kingdom.

Do we see suffering as Christians in that way? The writer of Hebrews urged Jewish Christians to whom he was writing, and who were facing much hostility, to see their sufferings as one of the ways God was perfecting their faith. Quoting words from the Psalms he wrote: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children.” (Hebrews 12:5-7)

Paul spoke of the believers at Thessalonica as being 'worthy of God's kingdom'. The writer of Hebrews described God's people through the ages who were destitute, persecuted and mistreated, and says 'the world was not worthy of them'. (Hebrews 11:38) While the world despises God fearing men and women, God prizes them highly. Let us not be afraid if we are in the camp of the saints. Any sufferings God permits us to experience are a badge of honour rather than something to be ashamed of. What Paul said elsewhere of Christians at Philippi, may one day be our calling too. He said: “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” (Philippians 1:29)