Anglican Devotional 7 November 2022 – Faith And Love In Persecution

TOPIC: Faith And Love In Persecution

READ: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 (NKJV)

1. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4. so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,

The MESSAGE:

In this letter, Apostle Paul, in agreement with Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, commended the new believers at Thessalonica for their abounding faith, increasing love for the brethren and ability to endure the persecutions and afflictions brought upon them by their unbelieving Jewish neighbours. Recall that this congregation was made up mainly of the Greeks (Gentiles) and a few leading women of the city (Acts 17:2-4). The unbelieving Jews lied and plotted against Paul and Silas (the missionaries) whom they described as “those who have turned the world upside down.” As a result, Paul and Silas were forced to flee the city almost as soon as the Church was planted (Acts 17:6). However, pleasant reports about their abounding faith, labour of love and endurance in the midst of the excruciating persecutions, had caused Apostle Paul to write this second letter to express thanks to God, and to commend them for their faith towards Jesus Christ and their love for the brethren.

The Church today needs men and women of courage who will stand to confront and combat the rot within its fold and the immediate community as it is threatened by hate, ambition and corruption as well as immorality, selfishness, greed, godlessness and other forms of social vices. When Christ shall come, shall He find in us the kind of faith, love and endurance exhibited by the early Thessalonian Church?

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, please increase my faith in your saving grace that I may stand strong in the defence of your truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.