Heading into the final weekend of the tour it's important that our attitudes and actions remain positive and strong. To that end, in our band prayer time tonight I read this verse:
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1.3
WORK-just like the readers of Paul's letter we are involved in missionary work and in acts of kindness to those in need. It was this type of Godly work that Paul refers to. He's not saying we are saved by works, but he is saying that there is always Kingdom of God work to be done. Work is a fruit of the believer's life and is produced by faith in God.
LABOR- At first glance this is the same as work, but Paul means something different. He's talking about an extraordinary effort of work, a labor of love, devotion above and beyond the call of duty. Distinctly spiritual service to help others, out of a spirit of self-sacrifice and motivated by love for God and by the love of God.
ENDURANCE-The commentary I read on this verse called Endurance- 'an aggressive and courageous Christian quality'. It excludes self-pity and discouragement, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
How? By focusing on the hope that only Jesus can bring.
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