“… to the church of God… We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; “- {1 Thess 1:2-4}
SALVATION’S THANKSGIVING…
** THE FOCUS- TO GIVING THANKS IS – GOD! Note the thanksgiving is directed towards GOD FIRST.. for what HE has and is doing… in the lives of people…these people now have a new Foundation, a New Relationship with God… they have the ASSURANCE…they are.. the …
- – “Called out ones” by GOD– {The word “church” means-“called out ones.”} “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” “..Called out of darkness into His Wonderful light…” –{1 Pet 2;9}
- – “Beloved of GOD”– The phrase was reserved for such as Moses, Solomon, and a special phrase, title, yet here Paul gives it to the Gentiles whom some had wrongly believed God had created for the purpose for fuel for Hell. Here the Gentiles are given this title “Beloved of God.” A term of affection! Grammatically it is the “perfect passive participle” what difference does make? It means “…we are the recipients of the sovereign love of God which continues to benefit us.”-{John MacArthur}
- – “Chosen of GOD.”– God’s choice of you.” How beautiful God not only loves them presently, but previously loved them all the way back to before the foundation of the world {Eph 1:5} and loves them continually{Rev 1:5-6} it is an unbreakable love- {Rom 8:31-39}. “By God’s doing you are in Christ…”-{1 Cor 1:30}. Salvation is of GOD, and Paul knew this when he testified, “But even before I was born,God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace.” -{Gal 1:15-NLT.}. “What the flesh could not do GOD DID!”-{Rom 8:2}. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that NO ONE may boast.“.-{Eph 2:9}. God Initiated. God sustains, God completes and finishes His work.-{Read Phil 1;6}. Thank God we have “… an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”-{1 Peter 1:4-5}. Glory and THANKS TO …GOD!
What a foundation of GOD’S ASSURANCE is given to these young believers! And for all believers to go back to this solid foundation! Their foundation is based on GOD… and so the FOCUS of thanksgiving is to be towards… GOD…
“KNOWING…” how did they KNOW that they were God’s? THE FRUIT GOD PRODUCES, IS EVIDENCED IN new lives…changing lives….
The evidence was in the “FRUIT” their lives were producing, namely…
- – FAITH that Works.
- – LOVE that Labors,-{ “Agape” Love- is what motivates. Sacrificially, caring, denying of one self to prefer others to show and seek the highest good of another, “…for Jesus sake”- 2 Cor 4:5.}
- – HOPE in Christ that inspires Steadfastness…and all this in the presence of God… these all flow from GOD…
The Amplified Bible helps in describing to us 1 Thess 1:3 as, “Recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith and service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”
Barclay describes it as, “We never cease to remember the work inspired by your faith, the labour prompted by your love and the endurance founded on your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before God who is also our Father.”
ICB: “When we pray to God our Father,
we always thank Him for the things you have done because of your faith.
And we thank Him for the work you have done because of your love.
And we thank Him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
And this is reason for FOCUSING ON GOD and the giving of THANKS TO GOD, for the FRUIT of a new life springing forth…
WARNING!!– Thanklessness is characteristic of a LOST PERSON!-“…For even though they knew God, they did not GLORIFY Him as God or GIVE Thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”- {Romans 1:21}
- WILL you THANK Him now for His Gift of salvation, and Calling you out, as His Beloved, and His Choice of you, independent of all but His love and amazing Grace!
- WILL you THANK HIM for three people today who manifest the FRUIT of faith, love, hope?
- WHO WILL you write, or verbalize to someone the THANKS you offer to God specifically for the three fruits you see in their life? Encourage others Today.{Read Heb 3:13}
- WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO…THANK HIM… AND ENCOURAGE ANOTHER?
THANK HIM…
ENCOURAGE OTHERS…
PRACTICE THANKSGIVING.