Monday 9th December The faith of the church

1 Thessalonians 1

This epistle begins with an outburst of great thanks from the hearts of the Lord’s ministers for the faith of his congregation:

thanks for the works their faith has produced,

thanks for their ceaseless labour of love,

thanks that no one needs to be told about their faith,

because everyone can see it for themselves (v 3, 8).

How thankful he must be when he looks down and sees the great love he has for his church reflected in her love for him: reflected not only in words but in everything she does, and not only does but does with the deepest conviction.

For the gospel has come to her not just with words, but with power, with the Spirit, with deep conviction (v 5 NIV) – with much assurance (KJV).

And so, deeply convicted of – much assured of – his great purposes of love, her love for him is clear to everyone:

she has turned from loving idols to loving him (v 9),

she has turned from looking down to looking up (v 10),

waiting for him with the conviction and assurance of certain faith.

James Pitts