1 Thessalonians 3-5 Increase your love

1 Thessalonians 3

Paul's love & concern for the Thessalonians is demonstrated in sending Timothy to strengthen & encourage them.  This example is a reminder of our need to pray for the strengthening & encouragement in their faith of other believers.

Suffering for Christ is to be expected - "we kept telling you that we would be persecuted"  (v4).  In the world we will have trouble & all those living a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  We must remember that it is the norm.  We must also remember 1 Peter 5:8-9, that the devil is after those whom he may devour.  We need to face persecution looking to Jesus, clinging to Him.

Love & sanctification are inextricably linked.  God increases our love for each other and in the process, He makes us more like Himself.  Increasing our love for others is part of being made more holy.

1 Thessalonians 4

v1-12  The aims & aspects of Christian living:

Live in order to please God
Do this more & more
Be sanctified - avoid sexual immorality, control your body, be holy
Love each other - do so more & more
Lead a quiet life, mind your own business, work with your hands

We should do all this because God has called us to live this way & because our lives can win the respect of others (and ultimately, win them for Christ).

v13-18  We don't need to be unaware of what happens to those who die, nor do we need to grieve like unbelievers either.  We have a hope.

Jesus died & rose again so that those of us who have died in Him will be brought with Him when He returns.  God will come with those who are dead in Christ, and then those who are left who believe in Him will meet Him in the air & we will be with Him forever.  God keeps His promises and as a result of this, we can be sure in this wonderful hope.

1 Thessalonians 5

v1-11 The Day of the Lord will divide the world - those who belong to the day and those who belong to the night.  We will either suffer wrath or receive salvation.

The Lord's return should affect our behaviour - we are children of the light, waiting for Jesus to return.  We should be alert, self-controlled, encouraging each other & building eaach other up.  Work hard, live in peace, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone, be kind to each other & everyone else, be always joyful, pray continually, give thanks in everything, don't put out the Spirit's fire, test everything, hold on to the good, avoid all evil.