How does one develop the type of relationships where they can be real, so that no matter where they are in life, they are always sharing both their faith and life with others? We have a tendency to think that our day and age is unique. We say things like “there has never been a time like this in history.” While many of our circumstances are unique, I believe we actually have a lot in common with those who have gone before us. We can learn from the success and failures of previous generations and societies. In the Scriptures, we find a letter written by the apostle Paul, to the people of Thessalonica. I believe that Paul sets us a great example to follow. I believe Paul models for us how we are to live and the type of communities we should be looking to help develop.
So, what do we know about Thessalonica? In its day, “Thessalonica was the largest and most important city of Macedonia, in Roman time,” (Wanamaker 1990). Thessalonica was a city filled with ethnic, religious, political, and business diversity. Some believe that Thessalonica was made up of 25 villages (Lexham Bible Dictionary). This city was important, and with business booming I am sure life was busy. It sounds a bit like one of our modern-day cities or towns.
In 1 Thessalonians we find Paul reminding the people of Thessalonica about a visit that he and some of his friends had with them. Paul mentions how thankful he is for them (1:2-3.) He then goes on to describe a difficult situation in his life that was filled with suffering, yet in the midst of it, he courageously chose to come to declare the good news of God to the Thessalonians. He very clearly states that his motives were clear in coming and that his aim was to please God and not man. How do you develop real relationships? You focus on pleasing God, not man. Paul’s motives were being questioned by man. Others were accusing him, but Paul states something that is so powerful. He says to the Thessalonians that he came to declare the good news of God to them, but not just that, he came to share his life with them, because of the love that he had for them. After a time of suffering, Paul and his friends come to visit this group of people that he developed a deep love for. And as he came, he could have requested that they allow him to rest. He could have looked to be pitied. But instead Paul talks about how hard he worked, while with them. He says, “Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News,” (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Somehow, Paul developed such a love for these people that he was willing to work a long hard day, and then spend time sharing faith and life with the Thessalonians.
The interesting perspective that we learn from Paul is that he cared so much about other people that he sacrificed for them. He states, “we pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and Glory.” Paul encouraged people to live life with heavenly perspective, and I believe that he then tried to set them an example to follow. He was not just talking about his faith, but he was trying to live it out in front others. The interesting thing is, Paul explains that after this time of sharing faith and life with the Thessalonians, he leaves and they become separated. He then wanted to come see them, but it felt like Satan was preventing him, (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Paul’s season of sharing faith and life with them had come to an end, but he reassured them that their faith in Jesus is what keeps him going. He believes that their faith and presence in before the Lord is worth living and sacrificing for. He made the effort to develop real and authentic relationships of love because of his faith in God. So, where he went, he was looking to please God as he loved and sacrificed for others.
What does practical love look like in a society that feels so distant? What does it look like to share your life with others? What does it look like to share your faith? These will be the questions that we continue to wrestle with over the next few days. Check out the next post!
Taking it Deeper:
Resources:
Wanamaker, Charles, A. The New International Greek Testament Commentary. Copyright © 1990 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 255 Jefferson Ave. S.E., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503. All Rights Reserved.
