1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Love’s Labors Won

I have always been struck by the trilogy Paul uses here in addressing the works of the church at Thessalonica.

He mentions their work produced by faith. Sometimes people may do worthwhile work even though even when they have doubts. Faith isn’t the absence of doubt. In fact, if there is no cause for doubt then there is no need for faith. There are works that we do simply because this is what we believe He is calling us to. These are works produced by faith.

He speaks of their labor prompted by love. Some people labor for money. Some labor for fame. Some labor for “immortality”. Some labor to survive. Some labor and don’t really know why. None of these come close to the satisfaction and value of laboring for love. Love is the greatest motivation of all.

Finally, he mentions their endurance inspired by hope. Hope has been devalued in some circles as an inferior brand of faith. Nonsense. Hope is the birthplace of faith. Hope is essential. Without hope life becomes an unbearable burden. Hope has the power to lift us above the fog and allows us to glimpse the eternal. 

Works can be good. Labor is certainly not bad. Endurance is an essential tool for living in a fallen world. But the motivation behind these three is the real test of their quality. The church at Thessalonica had quality. May we have it as well.