Community

DEVOTION
1 THESSALONIANS
COMMUNITY

1 Thess 3:1-5
3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.
NIV
I have to include all of this in order to get the picture I need to get regarding my being in any position where I would in somehow return to my former way of life because of trials, persecution or temptation. I know there have been a couple of times in the past I felt unsettled and not sure if God was in control of the situation, but I never gave up and I think as a result my faith has been strengthen and I am encouraged to walk even closer to him because I ultimately did see his hand at work in my life. There have also been times when the tempter was in full force against me and God knows the result which ensued. Yet he never gave up and I ultimately was guided by his hand at work in my life. As a result my faith has been strengthened and encouraged by God himself at work in my life. I do not know how I could ever feel the efforts of those who brought me into the light of Christ were useless. I certainly do not feel that way about those I have had the privilege to lead to Christ. Yet still those who were responsible for me being saved never really checked up on me either. So how would the ever know if they needed to assist in strengthening and encouraging my faith. Now the question is have I ever checked up on those I have lead to Christ. It seems to me there is somewhat of a sense of community which has to develop among all believers. A sense to strengthen and encourage each other because there are always trials and the tempter is continually at work trying to destroy anyone he can. The writer of Hebrews says that same thing. It has to have a great deal of merit and so not just those who have been won personally by me or anyone for that matter should be looked after but rather the whole of the body of Christ. I should be looking out for my brothers and sisters and they for me. We should all be involved in strengthening and encouraging one another’s faith because we all face situations, both trials or burdens and temptations which could be a cause for a weakening of that faith. But am I open enough to admit to my fellow believers when I am having a difficult time dealing with trusting God for something? Are my fellow believers open enough to share those times when a struggle is waging on within with faith? Are we all just playing church rather than having real fellowship? True community as I see in this early church, if it is to be in today’s modern church must start with me. Strengthening and encouraging others, being concerned about their faith, being involved with others life’s is certainly a calling me God. I think we all have been called; I know I have for sure. Can I do this?