“For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” ~1 Thessalonians 3:8

“For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.” ~1 Thessalonians 3:8

This actually made me chuckle - Paul might fit right in with today’s society-speak: “This is LIFE!” (in an eye-liner or stretchy jean ad). Some might say Paul had rizz (charisma), while others say that he was delulu (delusional). Are we that lazy that we cannot use an entire word? It reminds me of a Tim Hawkins sketch about an electric toothbrush: “What, is brushing your teeth too strenuous an exercise? You got people goin' [imitates fast, strenuous brushing of teeth]. "Man, I am really feeling the burn here. Wish this thing had a motor on it."

Looking at other translations: “For it is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord unchanged.”

For Paul, it meant that the faith of the people from Thessalonica was proof of the value of his vocation, of his life’s work in the Lord. It is like seeing an answer to an on-going prayer battle - a hug from heaven. Even though Paul knew that nothing for the Lord is done in vain, it had to be validating - “this is all worth it”.

Biblical scholar, F.B.Meyer writes, “What Paul suffered was as nothing compared with his joy at the stability of his charges.” I’ve seen it translated as giving Paul zest for life.

Our pastors feel that same joy when they see members of their flock thriving in the Lord. And this even applies in heaven: “The angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents." ~Luke 15:10

Father, thank you for allowing us to see the fruits of our labor. Help us to be examples to others so that we can stand together as a community of faith to advance Your kingdom here on earth. Remind us when we are not standing firm. Change our course so that we facing in the right direction - towards your Light. In Your Son’s Name we pray, Amen.