Day 415: The tender love of Christians – 1 Thessalonians 2 vs 17 – 3 vs 6
17-18 But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart) we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. So we wanted to come to you - even I, Paul, time and again - but Satan hindered us. 19-20 For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and joy!
Chapter 3 vs 1-4 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens. And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s co-worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labour might be for nothing. 6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you. 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:6 From the Christian Standard Bible
From verses 17-18 and Chapter 3 vs 6, how would you describe Paul's feelings towards the people in Thessalonica that he, Silas and Timothy had led to the Lord?
I would say they were deeply affectionate, even intense. He had genuine concern for them. The same could be said of them as well - they longed to see him and his co-workers again. This reflects what life in the Church is meant to be. A deep and tender love between those who lead and minister and those who are younger in the faith and growing. There should be no desire to boss others or take advantage of them, and there should be no bitterness towards those who seek the best for us, even if they sometimes have to challenge and correct us. What was Paul's most anxious about? (3 vs 1-4)
He was worried that (apart from the opposition they'd personally experienced since believing on Christ) when they heard of the deep troubles he was going through, it may have caused them to lose heart and even give up their faith in Jesus. He reminds them how he had warned them that such trials and troubles were likely to come. In one of his other letters Paul says: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12) The world doesn't look favourably on godly living and it's not long before they make their dislike known. But it's not just people who can be against us, who else (in vs 17-18 and Chapter 3 vs 5) is behind so many of our trials?
Paul refers to how God's arch-enemy Satan had 'hindered' him and the others from getting to the Thessalonians to encourage them and build them up in their faith. Satan will always seek to obstruct the plans and good intentions of the saints. And in Chapter 3 he refers to Satan as 'the tempter', and of his fear that Satan may have tempted them into giving up the faith and forsaking Christ. That’s another side of Satan's ungodly activity in the world. He will do his utmost to hinder those who seek to build up Christ's people, and he will do his best to deceive believers and cause them to fall away.
That's why we need the tender love and genuine concern Paul spoke of in this section. A hymn by Thomas Troeger says: “We need each other's strength to lift the cross we're called to bear; each other's presence is a gift of God's eternal care. When acts of love, and tender speech, convey the Saviour's voice; then praise exceeds what words can reach, and we with song rejoice.” When the tender love of Christ is expressed between Christians - the Church will be filled with songs of praise.