BE AN EXAMPLE
The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians with these words, “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia” (1Thes. 1:7). But in what way were the Thessalonians an example to the believers?
First, it was their work of faith. The Greek word for “work” here denotes the idea of toiling. The apostle Paul was commending the Thessalonians for being busy and preoccupied with the work of the Lord. They were zealous in their service to the Lord, especially in the work of propagating the Gospel (1Thes. 1:8). They believed in God, that God had saved them from their sins, and that God had brought them out of darkness into His marvelous light. They could not help but to share this good news to others. They wanted others to partake of this heavenly gift too. They did this out of their own desire. They were an example of the work of faith in propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Well, it is never easy to share the gospel with others. Sometimes, we do not know what to say, or how to present the Gospel. When the people ask us questions, we are afraid that we may not be able to answer them effectively. Sometimes, we are also fearful of rejection. Or that people will not be happy with us because we become a nuisance to them when we share the Gospel. So, to avoid all these, sometimes, we rather be friends with them rather than making ourselves an enemy to them. My brethren, when we share the Gospel with them, we are not to make enemies with them. If they are not receptive to the Word of God, we don’t insist. We just move on. And if you think you do not know how to share the Gospel with them, then invite them to the church so that they may listen to the preaching of God’s Word. Continue to witness with them with your own life as an example to them.
Second, it was their labour of love. Labour is more than work. The Greek word “labour” in this verse denotes toiling which saps our energy. Serving the Lord is never easy. There is so much to do, and so little resources to do it. Do you sometimes feel burnt out in your service unto the Lord? Do you face discouragement in your service unto the Lord? Sometimes, the sound of complaints is more deafening than the sound of compliments. It wearied us in our service. We began to drag our feet to serve the Lord. Instead of being a good example to the rest of believers, we become a stumbling block to others. My friends, let us remember that the motive of our service unto the Lord must be founded on love – it must be a labour of love.
When we serve the Lord, we are not serving men. We are serving the King of kings. We serve not because we want to earn favour or compliments from others, but because we feel indebted to God for His great love which He has commended unto us (Rom. 5:8). The love of Christ constrains us (2Cor. 5:14). When we focus on God’s love in service, everything else will fade away in comparison. The complaints and murmurings will never be able to move us away from our labour of love unto the Lord. The love of the Lord is like a fountain of spring water which never runs dry. It continues to nourish and refresh us in our labour. Be an example to others in your labour of love for the Lord.
Third, it was their patience of hope. The word “patience” describes the endurance under very unbearable circumstances. What was the secret to their patience? It was their hope in Christ. We know that our destiny is our eternal home in heaven to be with Christ, and not in this temporal world. We know that Christ will return and bring us to our heavenly hope. This is the blessed hope of the believers. When we have eyes focused on the blessed hope, the afflictions we go through in life will never be able to overwhelm us totally. It may knock us down, but it can never knock us out. For we know, that every day lived for the Lord, is every day nearer to that destiny. However, hope is only beneficial when we have patience for it. Hope is something that is not seen as yet, else it will not be called hope (Heb. 11:1).
The apostle James used the analogy of a farmer waiting for rain pertaining to the coming of our Lord (Jas. 5:7-8). A farmer cannot control the weather. What he can control, he will do – toiling the ground and planting the seeds. However, he still has to wait patiently for the rain for his crops to grow. Likewise, we have to learn to be patience in our hope in the Lord’s return, especially amidst difficult circumstances. The Bible reminds us, “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD” (Ps. 31:24). Are you going through a difficult trial in life? Be encouraged to know that no matter how difficult it may be, there is always an end to it. God will strengthen your heart. Have hope in God. Exercise the patience of hope.
Yes, we must take heed an be an example unto others regarding these three great virtues of faith, love and hope. We, who are parents, must be an example to our children. I read a report that says that if both parents attend church regularly, 72% of their children remain faithful. If only the father attends church, 55% remain faithful. If only the mother attends church, 15%. If neither the father nor mother attends church, only 6% of their children remain faithful. This tells us clearly that the example of parents is more important than all the efforts of the church and Sunday School in determining whether a child remain faithful in going to church. So, parents, be an example to your children. Exercise the work of faith, the labour of love and the patience of hope in your life. HCL.
