1 Thessalonians 1:3 - The Measure of a Growing Christian

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and laborof love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God andour Father.” Years ago, I read two books by Dr. Gene Getz, The Measure of aMan and The Measure of a Church. I remember being impressed with the thoughtthat spiritual growth can be measured by looking at these three great qualitiesthat Paul mentions here: Faith. Love. Hope. Interestingly,when Paul writes his second letter to these same believers, he again mentionsthese qualities. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4, he tells them that their faith wasgrowing exceedingly, their love toward one another was increasing, and hecommends their patience and faith in their persecutions and tribulations. Inother words, these qualities could be observed and measured. So perhaps weshould ask ourselves today: How is my faith? How is my love? How is my hope? First,Paul remembers their “work of faith.” Notice he does not say that we aresaved by works. The Bible clearly teaches that salvation is by grace throughfaith, not of works. But genuine faith produces works. James reminds us thatfaith without works is dead. When we truly believe God, it affects the way welive. Noah believed God, so he built an ark. Abraham believed God, so he lefthis homeland. Peter believed Jesus, so he stepped out of the boat. Real faithmoves us to action. The question is not simply, “Do I say that I have faith?” Thequestion is, “What is my faith producing in my life?” ThenPaul mentions their “labor of love.” The word “labor” speaks ofstrenuous effort—working to the point of weariness. There is a differencebetween simply saying, “I love you,” and loving someone enough to sacrifice forthem. Real love costs something. Jesus demonstrated that kind of love for us. John3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”Love gives. Love serves. Love sacrifices. Love keeps going even whenserving becomes inconvenient. Some of you know exactly what that means. Youhave cared for someone when you were tired. You have given when it was asacrifice. You have prayed for someone year after year. You have continuedloving someone even when that love was not returned. That is a labor of love. ThenPaul mentions their “patience of hope.” The word “patience” here carriesthe idea of steadfast endurance. Biblical hope isn't wishful thinking. Our hopeis a confident expectation based upon the promises of God. And notice wherethat hope is centered: “Hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The Thessalonianbelievers were experiencing tremendous persecution. Yet they kept going becausethey believed Jesus Christ was coming again. In fact, the return of Christbecomes one of the great themes of this entire letter. Their circumstances weredifficult, but their hope was greater than their circumstances. And that isstill true for us today. When life becomes difficult, hope says: God is stillon His throne. God is still faithful. God is still keeping His promises. AndJesus is coming again. That kind of hope gives us the strength to endure. Sohere is a simple spiritual examination for us today. Does my faith work? Doesmy love labor? Does my hope endure? Faith that never affects how we live needsto be examined. Love that never sacrifices is only words. Hope that disappearswhenever difficulties come is not the strong biblical hope Paul is describing. AndI love how Paul finishes the verse: “In the sight of God and our Father.” Ultimately,we are not trying to impress people. God sees our faith. God sees our labor. Godsees our perseverance. Others may never know about some of the things you dofor the Lord, but God sees them.  Maybetoday we should ask the Lord to increase these three great qualities in ourlives: A faith that works. A love that labors. And a hope that patientlyendures.