- The Explore the Bible lesson for March 20 focuses on 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20.
When I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, it was not at church. At the time, I was attending a small Hispanic Baptist church in Escobares. My mother would take us to church by conditional exchange. She would grant us permission to be with our friends on Saturdays if we attended church on Sunday.
One day, a stranger came to my place of work and asked me, “Do you know Jesus?” I firmly answered, “Yes.” Then he asked me, “Who is he?”
That question took me by surprise. I answered, “I go to church.” He placed a new Bible in front of me and said: “Do not say you know Jesus. Here in this Bible you can get to know him.” He turned and left.
I was left speechless and angry. But he was right. I did not know Jesus. I did not have a personal relationship with him. His question did not let me rest. Jesus found and saved me when I was reading the book of Romans.
Be thankful for his word (1 Thessalonians 2:13-15)
Paul is thankful for the willingness to accept God’s word. They were receptive and hungry for the message. Every believer needs to remember God’s word must be received and believed. There is salvation power in God’s word, but we have to remember there is transformative power in his word to face every day. Do not neglect the spiritual disciplines when engaging in God’s word. We must read to understand, meditate to reflect, practice solitude in prayer, practice forgiveness, practice humility, practice love and practice service to others.
Paul tells the Thessalonian Christians they are becoming imitators. Imitators is a word in the original language that is a noun and a verb that means to model oneself. God’s word has the power to prepare the believers for hardship. God’s church in history always stands strong in the face of difficulty. The church stretches its hand to help the hungry, the orphan and the last.
Be ready for resistance (1 Thessalonians 2:16-18)
There is martyrdom in the church’s history. Jesus gave his life; the blood of our Savior was shed for our atonement. But the church should not forget that many Christians are suffering martyrdom for God’s word.
Paul reminds believers of these truths. The gospel of health and wealth is not biblical nor true. It is true that the Lord heals and blesses believers, but within the scope of the salvation narrative. Jesus taught his disciples, “Deny yourself, pick up the cross and follow me”(Matthew 18:24). These words are still in effect today.
The mature believer knows there is spiritual warfare. This warfare is real, but it is important believers do not get distracted but prepared. Our adversary, Satan, will try to hinder the work of God. The adversary will try to use persecution to discourage. But remember that you are not alone.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
The reality of the presence of God is imperative for our lives, but we should not dismiss how the church becomes the hands and feet of Jesus. Paul says, “We were taken away … in presence, not in heart.” What a beautiful reminder God always sends people to encourage us, and we should not be naïve to think that Satan is not hindering the work of God. We recall the verse, “Greater is he that is in me than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Be hope and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)
What is the motivator? What keeps believers going? I am a firm believer Christ is the reason. We do all things for him and through him.
Paul encourages believers to know that people are hope and glory. The ultimate reward for Paul was not prestige or fame, but to see new people coming to faith. All we endure is for the gospel to be shared with the last, the least and the lost.
How beautiful to see a life being transformed. Just imagine that stranger who shared a Bible with me and asked me a question that bothered me. What an impact that man had on my life.
It is true we will face hindrances and resistance, but we will not be alone. God will send people around us to help, love and care for us. At this moment, you are joy and glory for your community of believers.
Ricardo Brambila, M.Div., is pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Dallas and the executive director for West Dallas Community School, a Christian School for boys and girls with limited financial resources in West Dallas.
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.