LIVING FOR HIS COMING
“Living for His Coming” is the theme of our church camp which begins today.
As Christians, we should not be living for selfish ambition and worldly things, but for Christ and His soon return. Are we doing that? Oftentimes we lose sight of what it means to live for Christ our Lord and Saviour. We are so caught up with the hustle and bustle of business and money-making that we lose sight of the true meaning of life and our God-given purpose here on earth.
Surely the Lord is coming back soon, and we need to know how we ought to live for His coming. The two epistles of Paul to the Thessalonians have much to teach us concerning how to live for the Parousia—the Second Coming of Christ (1 Thess 1:10, 2:19, 3:13, 4:17-18, 5:23). The importance of living for His coming is clearly taught in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” Our purpose on earth is “to wait for” (Grk anamenein) Jesus our Saviour. The wait here is not a one-time wait, but a non-stop waiting for Him. This non-stop waiting is to be an intense and careful one, paying attention to the details of how we should live for Him in this world before He comes. The Thessalonians when they were converted lived for the Lord and their testimony was so impactful that it was said they turned the world “upside down” (Acts 17:6). Actually by turning it upside down, they turned it right side up! This is what we must do today to an upside down world, and we can only do this if we live for our Lord with an eagerness for His coming.
The question then is how? How do we or should we as Christians live for His coming? Well, let us learn from the Thessalonians; how did they live their lives in such a way that impacted their society so greatly? The answer is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.”
Paul thanked God and kept on thanking God for the spiritual growth of the Thessalonian church (v2). This was no doubt in response to the encouraging report brought to him by Timothy in chapter 3:6, “But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you.” What good news did Timothy exactly bring? Verse 3 tells us: Their “work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope”. Paul did not forget the good work of God in the lives of the Thessalonian believers, for imparting to them the primary virtues of faith, hope and love (cf 1 Cor 13:13, Col 1:4-5). It goes without saying that the virtues of faith, hope and love are a must for every believer who sincerely believes in Christ and who eagerly looks forward to His coming.
While waiting for the Lord to come back, the believer must live his life with full of faith, hope, and love as spelled out in 1 Thessalonians 1:3.
Work of Faith
The “work of faith” is not about salvation by works, for salvation cannot come by works but by faith and faith alone. Paul made this clear in Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Salvation is purely by the grace of Almighty God alone, by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and based on Holy Scriptures alone. This saving grace from God and divine peace with God the Thessalonians had already received (v1), and Paul was assured of their salvation because he found the fruits of this saving grace in their lives.
Paul was therefore speaking about genuine faith. The “works of faith” here is that quality of faith that produces good works. This was also what the Apostle James said, “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (Jas 2:20). True faith will result in a changed life of good works. Jesus Himself says, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt 7:16-20).
There are false pastors and preachers today. They seduce the spirit through the flesh, which does not produce a right spirit in men but a wrong spirit, and it leaves people thinking that they are right with God when they are not. Paul warned about this in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron”. Charismatic preachers today, who come in the name of Christ, who tout a prosperity gospel, are deceptively destructive. They promise people career success and material wealth but the promised success and prosperity remains elusive and illusive. They tell the people they must have faith—“keep believing, and you will get it one day.” It may happen to some due to circumstances, but not to all. To most that day never comes. It is a vain dream, it is all an empty mirage. If you have this kind of a faith, you are on a wild goose chase with no goose to catch, and no gold at the end of the rainbow.
Furthermore, a faith that is preoccupied with health and wealth will not cause you to desire the Lord’s return. The Charismatic kind of faith that is based on the prosperity gospel is aimed to make you build your own earthly empire and fulfil your own worldly ambitions. It will not make you seek God’s kingdom nor His righteousness. Again be warned that in the last days, there will be many false preachers who will attract for themselves many false believers. One such example in the Scriptures is Simon the sorcerer. It is said that he “believed” the gospel and was even “baptised”: “But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” (Acts 8:12-13). Did Simon truly and sincerely believe? He did not. He believed only because he thought that by believing and by getting baptised he could get the power to perform miracles and become a more powerful sorcerer. This we know when Simon wanted to buy the power of the Spirit from Peter and John. “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” (Acts 8:18-23).
Although Simon professed faith and was baptised, he was not saved. The “faith” he had was totally false and wholly misplaced for his goal in professing Christ was to seek fame and gain for himself. He was a believer of the prosperity gospel of his own imagination, and sought to be a sorcerer-preacher of a money-making business. Hear this warning of our Lord, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt 7:21-23). Do you have this kind of a “Charismatic” faith—a “health and wealth”, prosperity alone faith? You have a false faith and it does not save. You will die in your sins. Quickly repent before it is too late!
The Thessalonian believers were not health and wealth worshippers but worshippers of the living and true God. Indeed, the power of the gospel was manifested in the dramatic change in the lives of the people in Thessalonica who had “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” (v9). Jesus said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon [money]” (Matt 6:24). Jesus also said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
Labour of Love
When there is genuine faith, there is love. And the love of God is not passive but active. It works. The “labour of love” is a love that prompts labour. It is a love that constrains us to serve the Lord Jesus Christ unconditionally (2 Cor 5:14). True service to the Lord should not be mercenary but filial. It is faithful service rendered to the heavenly Father out of filial love of blood-bought children.
Such labour of love was demonstrated by Paul and his fellow workers. Paul told the Thessalonians in verse 5, “ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” There were all kinds of false workers in those days: false evangelists (Gal 1:6-7), false apostles (2 Cor 11:13), and false teachers (1 Tim 1:6-7, 2 Pet 2:1-3). The Thessalonians knew very well that Paul and his associates were not such types. Paul and his co-workers truly did their work because they truly love the Lord, His Word, and His people, and not for vainglory nor for money (cf 2 Cor 12:14-15).
The Thessalonian believers themselves displayed such loving labour for God that came by means of faith in the gospel for Paul testified of them, “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance…”. The gospel that Paul preached was the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ “according to the Scriptures;” the only message that can save a man from sin and eternal destruction (1 Cor 15:1-4, 1 Tim 2:5, Acts 4:12). As Christians we are responsible to preach the unadulterated gospel of Christ faithfully in obedience to Christ’s first commandment to the Church—the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20. And the power that converts the soul resides in the gospel and in the God of the gospel alone. The word “power” here is the same word used in Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 1:18 namely, the Greek dunamis. This power is both destructive and constructive. It destroys sin and builds up faith. It caused the Thessalonians to burn their dead and deadly idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thess 1:9).
The Thessalonians not only loved the Lord, they also loved His people. This we see in verse 6, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord”. The Thessalonians became followers of Paul because Paul followed Christ (cf 1 Cor 11:1). The word “followers” is the Greek mimetai (Eng “mimic”). They became imitators of Paul who was a walking, breathing, living model of what it meant to be a follower of Christ. In verse 7, we are told that the Thessalonians became “ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” Their work of faith and labour of love became known to other believers in the region of Macedonia (Northern Greece) and Achaia (Southern Greece).
Their labour of love was seen in their evangelistic work, “For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.” (v8). The gospel echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but also the regions beyond. Since they were located along the Egnatian Highway that linked East to West, they must have been living and speaking testimonies of God’s wonderful grace in their lives to travelers who came into contact with them. These visitors then carried the gospel to their respective home countries or cities, and the gospel spread like wildfire. Their evangelistic work was so effective and broadcast so widely that before Paul could get to a certain place, the people there had already heard the gospel through the Thessalonians. They were indeed fulfilling Jesus’ missions mandate as laid down in Acts 1:8. They were a missionary church.
Their labour of love was not only seen in their evangelistic but also charitable work. Despite their poverty, they were not selfish but generously gave to other Christians to help them in their need. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 Paul reported, “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia [the Thessalonian Church was one of the Macedonian churches]; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.”
Do we lovingly labour for the Lord like the Thessalonians? Let us do our best for the Lord. True Life BPC must be an evangelistic church. By the grace of God, we have grown as a church from 170 when we first started in 2003 to 490 today. It is the Lord who has given the increase when we are obedient to His Great Commission. Not only must we be evangelistic, we must be missionary. We thank the Lord for open doors to support missions and gospel outreaches overseas—in Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), Australia (Brisbane and Perth), Israel (Bethlehem), Malaysia (Kemaman), Myanmar (Yangon), Philippines (Mindanao) and God willing a new work in Cambodia (Siem Reap). We remember also the Far Eastern Bible College. A sizable chunk of our church’s annual budget goes into the work of missions and evangelism, both local and overseas. Our missionaries will be giving their reports in the camp, and we want to support them in prayer and in kind. The Rev Dr Timothy Tow said, “When we accelerate missions and evangelism, we hasten the coming of our Lord.”
Patience of Hope
The “patience of hope” here is a hope that inspires patience. The word “patience” (Grk hupomone) speaks of an indomitable spirit which will never say die or will never give up. It speaks of super endurance (cf Matt 24:13, Jas 1:2-3). In verse 6 we are told that the Thessalonians had “received the word in much affliction”. They were not like the seed that is sown on stony places (Matt 13:20-21). The Thessalonians were very willing to endure trials and tribulations for they had a faith and love that was full of hope. Despite the hardships and sufferings they faced, they were not filled with anger but with the joy that is imparted by the Holy Spirit. They truly practised what James commanded, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (Jas 1:2-4).
This patience of hope or hopeful patience is not only with reference to physical and spiritual afflictions of this life, it also has to do with the physical and spiritual blessings of the life hereafter which will take place when the Lord returns. That is why in verse 10 Paul encouraged all believers to “wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” This waiting echoes what the angels declared to the disciples at the ascension of Christ: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). The Second Coming of Christ is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. That Christ will return one day, and soon, is the blessed hope of the saints for He will consummate the redemption already gained when He came the first time. This blessed hope that all believers have is not a false hope. We have the sure confidence that Jesus will indeed return because He is not dead but alive for He is risen from the dead. This is a biblical and historical fact (see 1 Cor 15).
We are hopeful and not fearful of the future for the Lord has already “delivered us from the wrath to come.” Does the “wrath” here refer to a present or future wrath? Amillennialists (ie, those who do not believe that there will be a specific seven-year Tribulation period and a 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth after His return) generally explain this “wrath” in the general sense of God’s present anger against unbelievers. However, the “wrath” here is qualified by the phrase “to come.” This points to a specific time of wrath that is yet future, and not now generally experienced by a sin-cursed world. Also, the word “wrath” is written with the definite article (“the”). If it was simply a general wrath, Paul would probably have expressed it without the article. Paul did not just say that God has saved us from wrath, but from the wrath to come. This is the particularising article that points to a specific event. To link this “wrath” to a future period of unprecedented judgement is not something strange or unlikely. The word “wrath” has often been used in the New Testament to refer to the end-time wrath, ie, the Great Tribulation and the Great White Throne Judgement (see Matt 3:7 cf 24:21; Rev 6:16, 17; 20:11). If the end-time wrath is meant over here, then our blessed hope is in God’s removal of us “from” (Grk ek “out of”) this world before judgement comes. This is the premillennial and pretribulational view of the end-times that is taught in the Scriptures. With such a blessed hope, we live our lives for Christ with much comfort and confidence.
Faith, Hope, Love
How is all this possible? Verse 4 tells us that all this is possible because of election: “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” Paul rejoiced over the knowledge he had that the saints in Thessalonica were God’s chosen ones. The word “knowing” (eidotes) speaks of factual knowledge. The proof of their salvation (ie, the evidence of faith, hope and love in their lives) was so clear that Paul had to conclude that they were indeed members of the family of God.
The Apostle Paul addressed the believers in Thessalonica as “brethren beloved.” The term “brethren” or “brothers” (generically including “sisters”) refers to fellow Christians and they are dearly loved by God, who share the same faith. Paul used it 16 times in 1 Thessalonians (1:4; 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:7; 4:1, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27) and seven times in 2 Thessalonians (1:3; 2:1, 13, 15; 3:1, 6, 13).
The joy of salvation that Paul expressed is of course due to the fact that salvation from beginning to end is God’s elective work. And if God is the Author and Finisher of the faith of His people, then none of His chosen people can ever lose their salvation. God’s election assures the believer that once he is saved, he will remain saved for God cannot fail.
Paul knew the doctrine of election very well. The following is a synopsis of Paul’s teaching on election: (1) It is from God’s timeless past (Eph 1:4-5). (2) It can be seen in life (1 Thess 1:4). (3) It is unconditional and not due to foreseen works or foreseen faith (1 Cor 1:27, 28; 4:7; Eph 1:4; 2:8, Rom 9:16). (4) It is just and fair (Rom 9:14-15). (5) It covers not just Gentiles but also Jews (Rom 10:12-13). (6) It is unchangeable and efficacious (Rom 8:28-30, John 10:28-29). (7) It affects the manner of life of a person (Eph 1:4). (8) It will redound to the glory of God (Eph 1:4-6).
If we are to live for Christ in light of His soon return, then we ought to understand that it is God’s election of us that has made our living for Him possible, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). It is also important that if we want to live for Christ, we must make our election sure. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Pet 1:10). And we make our election sure by cultivating faith, hope and love in our lives until He comes. JK
