1 Thessalonians 1:3

I am absolutely in love with the choice of words by the writers of Thessalonians. In 1 Thessalonians, we begin with introductions and salutations in verse 1, move into thanksgiving in verse 2, and then verse 3 delivers something truly profound:


1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NKJV):  

"...we 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."


See that?  

Work produced by FAITH.  

Labor prompted by LOVE.  

Endurance inspired by HOPE.


Wow! These three elements are so powerful that if you read too fast, you might miss out on their depth: "And now abide these three: faith, hope, and love." Remember that?🤔


Faith Affects How We Work.

Faith is the foundation that shapes our work. Even on Mondays and Fridays. How is your faith differentiating your work in your vocation? Are your colleagues, neighbors, and friends able to see a difference because of your faith? When we say faith produces different work, we mean that our faith drives us to approach our tasks with integrity, purpose, and passion that stand out from the ordinary.


Love Affects the Extent of Our Labor.

Love transforms labor from mere work into acts of dedication. Take, for example, a mother who wakes up earlier than everyone else to quietly🤫 do the laundry, make meals, and tidy up the house. She does this not because she has to, but because she loves those she’s serving. This is not just service; it’s a labor of love. As believers, we are called to be motivated by love to go above and beyond in serving others—without grumbling or complaining, but with joy and enthusiasm.


Hope Determines Our Endurance.

Hope is what sustains us through challenges and persecutions. As believers, our hope is anchored in Jesus, our forerunner. This hope is steady and secure, just as Jesus is. With this hope, we are inspired to endure even when circumstances are tough, knowing that our Redeemer sees us, hears us, and will one day help us victoriously if we persevere. This endurance is inspired by hope.


Back to the text, it’s beautiful to note that as the writers addressed the Thessalonian church, this community exemplified these three pillars: their faith was solid, their love was abundant, and their hope was unwavering. In comparison, how do you fare at the moment?


Take a moment to reflect on your own life how is your...

- Faith (Work): _______________________

- Love (Labor): _______________________

- Hope (Endurance): ___________________


As we consider these powerful elements of faith, love, and hope, let’s challenge ourselves to deepen our own walk with Christ. Let’s ensure that our work is produced by faith, our labor is prompted by love, and our endurance is inspired by hope. By doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also become beacons of Christ’s love and grace to those around us.


Selah. Ama ni salary? 😁 They both make you 🤔

Image: Gentlemen serving joyfully as parking attendants.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When the firstborn dies.

Image
Everything Changes When a Firstborn Dies. Today, I found myself reflecting on ancient Egypt—specifically, during the reign of the Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). It was a time of great power, but also of great sorrow, especially when things took a tragic turn. Now, you might know the story, but let's revisit it a bit. Joseph, the shepherd boy and his father’s favorite, found himself in a bit of a pickle. His brothers, tired of his dreams and his fancy coat, sold him off to some merchants. These merchants then sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. Fast forward a few years, and our boy Joseph had climbed the ranks in Egypt, from slave to leader. He was well-known, respected, and even had a family. Then, a severe drought struck, and Egypt, under Joseph’s brilliant management, became the region’s breadbasket. It’s said that the grain stores were so full that they stopped keeping records (Genesis 41:49). This abundance attracted people from all over, including Joseph’s own...
Read more

Full year BRG - Canonical

Image
Key Tips for Success Consistency Over Perfection: If you miss a day, don’t give up. Use the lighter weekends to catch up. Break It Down: Split the daily chapters into smaller portions (e.g., morning and evening readings). Use Audio Bibles: If you're too tired to read, listen to the chapters while driving, cooking, or relaxing. Journal Your Journey: Note one insight or question per day to deepen understanding and engagement. Accountability Groups: Form a small Bible study group to stay motivated and share reflections. - Week 1 (Jan 1–7):   Mon: Genesis 1–4     Tue: Genesis 5–8     Wed: Genesis 9–12     Thu: Genesis 13–16     Fri: Genesis 17–20     Sat: Genesis 21–22     Sun: Genesis 23–24   - Week 2 (Jan 8–14):   Mon: Genesis 25–28     Tue: Genesis 29–32     Wed: Genesis 33–36     Thu: Genesis 37–40     Fri: Genesis 41–4...
Read more

Praying for the physically ill.

Image
Whenever we have a loved one not feeling well, admitted in hospital or maybe even in a critical condition according to the medics, prayer can become hard. We get to a point of prayer fatigue (I first heard that term from a friend called Sarah) and if things are not handled well, we may end up praying amiss as James describes it. I have highlighted the WE sections to emphasize the value of prayer of unity. However, if you're praying while alone, you still are not alone. Believers pray in the company of other believers seen or unseen. That's why our Lord taught us to pray "our father" and not my father. We're never alone in the place of prayer. May this guide help you pray for yourself, your loved one, friend or a friend to a friend. Pray in the spirit and with understanding. 1. Praying for God's Will to Be Done In Mark 1:40-42, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responded, "I am willing....
Read more