Deeper Reflection
WHILE THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH WAS PRACTISING LOVE intensively and extensively, there was deficiency in “brotherly love”, in that among them were those who were not working to support themselves, but leeching their brethren (vv.9-11). The Thessalonians were fervent in evangelism and missions, such that “not only has the word of the Lord sounded from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere” (1 Thess 1:8). Yet, ironically, this missionally impactful church was at the risk of being a bad testimony to their neighbours. Paul urged the Thessalonians who stopped working to “work with your hands” (vv.11-12), not just that they live their lives responsibly, but also “so that you may walk properly before outsiders” (v.12). Their improper conduct in the world would affect the witness of the church. To the world that tends to generalise things, Christians represent the Church and the Gospel.I have discovered from experience that no matter how we may have grown and matured in certain character in our lives, there can still be fault lines in that particular character. Just like the glowing, growing Thessalonian church. In this life we will never arrive, but only to “press on toward the goal” (Phil 3:13-14). The Psalmist says to God, “With my whole heart I seek You” and yet in the same breath he prays, “Let me not wander from Your commandments” (Psa 119:10). It sounds ironic, inconsistent and incongruent. But this is realistic biblical discipleship. We progress by God’s grace with three steps forward and two steps back in humble brokenness.