Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 – A Human-Divine Partnership for Success
The reason why Paul can pray without ceasing and with full confidence concerning the Thessalonians is because they have been loved and elected by God. Let that immense reasoning settle in your own full confidence of salvation.
What is incredible about this text is the revealing of the Human-Divine partnership. Within it, Paul shows us the theme of the letter from the perspective of the Thessalonians, the human realm. However, adding to that is the essential reminder that everything we do is empowered by our Lord Jesus Christ, and is done in our Father’s presence, the divine realm.
When everything is put together, we find the 4 headings under which everything can be organized: Work of Faith; Labor of Love; Endurance of Hope; Loved (HUMAN REALM) and Elected by God (DIVINE REALM and therefore everything is done in Jesus before the Father). Add to this another theme, not of 1 Thessalonians, but of Paul’s letters, is the importance of prayer. Success in imitating the Thessalonian’s situation shows us we need:
- God’s love and election.
- A working faith, a laboring love, and an enduring hope.
- Doing everything empowered by Jesus and in the presence of the One who loves and chooses us.
- People praying.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (NASB 2020) – 2) We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3) constantly keeping in mind your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, 4) knowing, brothers and sisters, beloved by God, His choice of you;
Comments