(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

As Paul writes to the church that he, Silas, and Timothy established (Ref. Acts 17), it is a message of encouragement and thanksgiving for their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope.

Yes, the church in Thessalonica was established by Paul, Silas, and Timothy, but not in them or in their name. Rather the church was established in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that the blessings and fruit that poured out of this church was not simply out of human conviction, but full conviction brought about by being in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The church of the Thessalonians were in God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, because the gospel came to them, not only in word, “but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” The full conviction was established in Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and this connection brought unity between the Thessalonians, God, and Paul, Silas, and Timothy.

This full conviction that was made full by being in the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit is what led to their conversion from worshipping idols to worshipping God. It was this full conviction that led to and sustained their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope.

Brothers and sisters, we often times talk about conviction within the church. Our conviction is our strongly held belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the hope for eternal life in Him. How strong is our conviction? And how does our conviction impact our life as Christians?

We are reminded today that it is only when we are in the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, that we experience full conviction, and this being more than a held belief in Jesus Christ, but sustained work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope.

Conviction, faith, love, and hope, are all words and qualities that are integral to our life in Christ. However, Paul reminds us today, that instead of just conviction, we need full conviction, and rather than just faith, love and hope, we should strive for work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope, and we can only move in that direction and experience the fullness of Christ, by being in the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 1 Thessalonians 1