"Unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father."
How fitting an introduction this is, especially to an assembly which had been brought into the faith hardly a year before.
"In God the Father." It is precious to realize that no matter how little we know, and even how much needs to be done in our lives by way of correction, we are still in God the Father. The only places where this expression is used are in the first and second letters to the Thessalonians. In the second letter he writes, "In God our Father."
What a cheer to the apostle to know that his work had not been in vain. He had a report of their welfare through Timothy who had visited them.
Paul gave thanks always to God for them because of their happy response to the Word preached to them. What a happy assembly! Their works were "works of faith," their labor, that "of love," and their hope was a "patience of hope," waiting for their Lord from heaven.
It seems that this was the general state in the assembly. Their election was of God and was sure.
The Word of God had come to them in power, in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. Because of the persecution from the world, this letter was a real comfort to them.
How refreshing to see a newly converted assembly so warm in the faith, love, and hope with patience, enduring the reproach of the world, with the hope of the Lord's coming for them so vividly fixed in their minds and hearts. Here we are given to see the Christian character in others unfolded before our eyes, fresh and full of joy and service to the Lord.
It is in those first two letters coming of Christ attaches the hearts of His people to Him. The believer is converted to wait for the Lord from heaven. The joy of the believers in regard to their fruits of service are realized in His presence, for it is communion with the Lord which gives value to all that we do in service to Him.
The Lord's coming is the consolation in the death of a loved one who is the Lord's. We learn this in chapter 4. The Lord is present in the heart because of the knowledge of His coming, and because He is the Object, the believer's affections are raised, bringing fruit of the Spirit. This life has its existence in God, the Father, and is the life of the assembly flowing from known relationship with the Father. Only Christianity gives this, and our hearts should be moved to walk in holiness. As little children, those in Thessalonica knew the Father. What a tender relationship!
It was because of the transition from heathendom to Christianity that the apostle refers to their knowledge of the one true God in contrast to idols.
We have before us the life of young Christians with first love developing in each in the knowledge of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. This the apostle remembered in his prayers as he prayed for them.
The marks of Christianity in this world are faith, hope, and love. May our faith be according to God's Word in regard to our labor in communion with Himself, for our labor is a service of love, not mere duty. Our patience will prove the reality of our hope in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, our Deliverer from the coming wrath.