Persevering & Finding Purpose
“But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5
In a Sunday school class taught by one of my pastors, he mentioned the dangers of believing ideologies in which earthly promises are guaranteed. That is the defining characteristic of the prosperity gospel. What stood out to me was when my pastor said these words – “the Church often thrives when persecuted.”
To thrive means to flourish but it does not promise ease or comfort necessarily. Flourishing involves growth and sometimes growth can be painful or difficult.
Consider the words of the apostle Paul in this passage:
“We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 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 (1 Thess. 3:2-4).”
As I reflected on this passage, I noticed three takeaways or in other words, three principles that can and should be practiced in daily living.
First, opposition and discouragement are inevitable so keep going. In an expositional commentary, Matthew Henry writes, “Satan is a constant enemy to the work of God, and does all he can to obstruct it.” In 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20, Paul writes that he longed to return and see the Thessalonians but Satan blocked his way. This could have been through means of individuals as enemies physically and literally opposing Paul or the means of spiritual warfare, both very real and possible. So, when you face opposition in ministry, don’t stay defeated. Remember that the Lord is with you and He is your strength. Keep going.
Second, do not be surprised when you experience trials because they too are a part of God’s plan and providence. I love the way Matthew Henry explains what Paul means when he says that ‘no one should be unsettled by trials for we are destined for them.’ Henry writes, “Their troubles and persecutions did not come by chance, not merely from the wrath and malice of the enemies of religion, but by the appointment of God. The event only came to pass according as God had determined, and they knew he had told them before it would be; so that they should not think it strange, and, being fore-warned, they should be fore-armed.”
What a powerful reminder that we are not only going to experience persecution to some extent and degree as believers but that it is purposeful and even more so, that God brings about good for those who are in Christ as it is affirmed in Scripture (see Romans 8:28). There is nothing random about the experiences and events that take place in your life. As Christians, we can find great joy and increased trust in God as we remember that He is good, kind, and caring. All that He does is good and He always knows what’s best for us.
Third, the labors of ministry are hard work but a good work indeed. Just as Paul writes that the Thessalonian people are their glory and joy, “faithful believers will be the glory and joy of faithful ministers on that great and glorious day” as explained again by theologian Matthew Henry. In seasons of discouragement when the fruit seems absent and our labors seem pointless, we need to cling to the truths throughout Scripture, such as – the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:35-38), we plant and water seeds but God does the growing and the salvific work of redemption (1 Corinthians 3:6-9), and we must not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6: 9-10).
