How does the resurrection of Jesus determine how you live? Does it have an impact on the way you live and behave as you go about your everyday business? It did for Paul and it should for us as well.
Notice what Paul says towards the end of this chapter. he says ‘Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints’ [v11-13].
Paul believed that Jesus rose from the dead. He met with Him on the road to Damascus and it changed his life forever. He knew Jesus was alive and he was now able to pray to Him regarding coming to see the believers in Thessalonica. He knew that Jesus was able to intervene in the events of this world to bring him to them, hence the title ‘Lord Jesus’. There should be a lot of comfort in this to us who believe because whatever problems we have we can take them to the Lord in prayer knowing He is able to help us.
But Paul’s belief in the resurrection of Jesus is also seen in the fact that Paul was looking ahead to the day when Jesus would return. He wanted to visit these believers in order to help them in their pursuit of holiness before the Lord Jesus returns in glory. Do we have such a desire towards our fellow believers? Do we want to help them in their pursuit of holiness and godliness? How are you seeking to help other believers be better prepared for the Lord’s return?
Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4
