"That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know."
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
Part 4
Yesterday: Believers, Prepare for Persecution!
“For verily, when we were with you, we told you before.”
When Paul was with the Thessalonians, in his teaching, he warned them of coming adversity. A good parent/teacher warns the child/student before the danger is here.
Today: Godly Living in an Evil World Will Produce Friction
“That we should suffer tribulation.”
Following his Lord’s example, Paul warned believers of coming persecution where ever he ministered to them.
“I prepared you for it because I knew that it was according to their nature for wicked men to persecute the followers of God”[1] (Clarke).
Each godly child of the King can expect some form of persecution in his life now and then.
“Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
This verse always gives me pause to think. If I have never suffered any persecution for the cause of Jesus Christ, I must ask myself, “Am I living godly in Christ Jesus?” “Does my testimony and lifestyle cause friction with this evil world?” “If not, why not?”
“That We Should Suffer Persecution”
This is “not [a] mere prediction, but God’s appointed will as it turned out in Thessalonica”[2] (Robertson).
As Paul visited the churches he had started on his missionary journeys, he spread the word faithfully about “believers and affliction.”
“Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
“Even as it came to pass, and ye know.”
The circumstances of their persecution turned out to be just as Paul had predicted. Now his reminder would help to calm their hearts.
Paul was encouraged by Timothy when he shared his excellent report of the Thessalonians.
“But now when Timotheus came from you unto us and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 3:6-8).
The Thessalonians were dealing with their afflictions in a godly way, and Paul rejoiced in their faithfulness.
Believers, we need to think often of Jesus’ words. The Christian life is not easy, but our Lord is with us in it.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
Quote: Isaac Watts’s words challenge my heart and service for our Lord in his old gospel song,
Am I a Soldier of the Cross?
Isaac Watts[3]
1 Am I a soldier of the cross,
a follower of the Lamb,
and shall I fear to own his cause,
or blush to speak his name?
2 Must I be carried to the skies
on flowery beds of ease,
while others fought to win the prize,
and sailed thro’ bloody seas?
3 Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
to help me on to God?
4 Sure I must fight if I would reign:
increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
supported by thy Word.
5 Thy saints, in all this glorious war,
shall conquer, though they die;
they view the triumph from afar,
and seize it with their eye.
6 When that illustrious day shall rise,
and all thine armies shine
in robes of victory through the skies,
the glory shall be thine.
Amen.
[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword. The emphasis is mine.
[3] “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” text by Isaac Watts (1674-1748) (1724). Music ARLINGTON by Ira David Sankey (1840-1908). Copyright Status: Public Domain.