“For now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord.” So wrote the apostle Paul to his beloved brothers and sisters in the church of Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:8). He acknowledged their faithfulness as a spiritual tonic, which emboldened him to persevere in the faith.
The phrase “standing fast” is a military term, which describes soldiers holding their ground against an enemy. Aware of the trials the Thessalonian church faced, including fierce persecution (2:14–16), Paul was grateful that they continued to stand their ground against temptations to sin, including the temptation to abandon the faith (1:3). He was grateful for the spiritual health of these believers. Their health encouraged him to carry on in the face of his own ministry afflictions. He wanted them to know that his perseverance was intimately tied to theirs. In other words, their spiritual health was a tonic to his spiritual health. And when we consider all the burdens this faithful servant carried—the heartache of apostate friends, immaturity in church plants, the daily care of the churches—the spiritual health of the Thessalonian believers would have been a great encouragement for him to keep pressing one.
I am writing this at the Donald Gordon Hospital, awaiting some procedures. When I checked in at the J Ward (where I once spent many weeks), I was greeted by familiar faces, broad smiles, and warm welcomes, including an enthusiastic handshake from an Ampath worker who had become very familiar with my blood! Having cared for me for nearly three months, having seen me at my physical worst, they were so encouraged to see me healthy.
When you consider all the misery to which nurses and other medical personnel are exposed, including watching patients die, it must be an encouragement to see a former patient fully recovered. Perhaps it helps a nurse to keep on keeping on as they are reminded that what they are doing is not futile. The health of former patients can be a morale booster, guarding nurses from losing heart in a vocation that is accompanied with much sorrow. So it is when it comes to spiritual health and the work of ministry to which every Christian is called (Ephesians 4:11–12).
As we share the gospel, as we disciple professing believers, as our congregation engages in heart-wrenching discipline, discouragement can arise, particularly as we see brothers and sisters fall into sin rather than standing against it. As church members grow unhappy, even bitter and incalcitrant; as some fall away from the faith; as some persist in unholy and hurtful habits; such evidence of spiritual disease and spiritual declension can tempt a church member to despair. But it is precisely here where we need the realisation that some are actually doing quite well and thus the tonic of the text, “For now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord.”
Each of us need such tonics along the way. We need to be alert to those who are growing in Christ, including evidences of grace such as a growing appetite for Christ and a growing affection for communion with the triune God. If we are observant the encouragements are there for the seeing!
But in addition, each of us should strive to be such an encouragement. As I typed that last sentence I was interrupted by the assistant to the doctor who was the human means of saving my life nearly three years ago. Ashna often saw me at my worst during the months of my illness. Hearing that I was on the ward she popped in to say “Hi” and to give me a hug. As she walked off, grinning from ear to ear, she turned around and said, “You look great!” And I thought, “Perhaps my health will be a means of brightening her day and lightening her step as she tends to very ill patients.” Well, I want to be that kind of Christian, and I am grateful that I am part of a local church that is full of those who are such tonics. Let me illustrate.
Recently, I dealt with a challenging situation and I felt that my attempts were proving futile as the situation looked pretty hopeless. But then there seemed to be a breakthrough. As the individual drove away, I said to the Lord, “This is not because of me, this is because of a healthy congregation standing fast in the Lord.” Because of faithful church members ministering to this individual (largely “informally”), spiritual progress is being made. Because church members are standing fast in the Lord, another one has been encouraged to also attempt to stand. Faithfulness is working like a spiritual tonic.
Brothers and sisters, we should realise that how we live can affect how other Christians live. Our faithfulness is often the means to encourage another in their faithfulness. As our fellow church members undergo trials, may they “live.” That is, may they be emboldened to stand fast in their faith, fuelled by the tonic of our faithfulness all because of the undying faithfulness of our Lord.
Doug