Encouraged to please God

One of Paul’s most pressing concerns in writing to the Thessalonian Christians was that the pressure of persecution would lead them to abandon their faith in Christ. This is why he sent Timothy to encourage them: For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain (1 Thessalonians 3:5). Even after Timothy had returned to Paul with good news regarding the Thessalonians’ perseverance, the apostle still felt it necessary to encourage and strengthen them in their faith; this concern was a major factor in shaping the letter, as we have seen.

Paul’s awareness of the danger that persecution posed to the Thessalonians’ faith is instructive to us. It shows us that opposition and persecution can cause Christians to doubt their faith. When other people are insisting that Christian beliefs are outdated or harmful, one needs to be assured that following Christ truly is pleasing to God and beneficial for all mankind.

Let me illustrate this point. Society today will often feel that the Christian view of homosexuality is incompatible with human rights and the idea of equality. It accuses Christians who hold to the biblical and historic view of homosexuality that they are opposed to human rights and equality. And we have seen that this has, in fact, led to legal sanctions against Christians and churches who stand by their convictions in this matter.

From an entirely different cultural perspective, African Christians often find themselves pressurized by family members to participate in traditional rituals designed to satisfy the ancestors—and if they cannot participate, they may be called upon to contribute to the costs of the rituals. Because people sincerely believe that harm will come to the family if the rituals are not performed, Christians who refuse to participate in or finance the rituals are seen to be bringing harm to the family. It is easy to imagine the pressure they come under.

When encouraging the Thessalonian church, Paul spoke about the Jews who, by opposing the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, displeased God and opposed all mankind (1 Thessalonians 2:15). He thus reassured the Thessalonian disciples that the Jews, though they were the historic people of God, were incorrect to oppose the preaching of the gospel. In fact, by doing so they were displeasing God and causing harm—eternal harm, in fact—to other people. This would have encouraged them to keep on trusting in Christ.

In the same way, today’s Christians need to be reassured in the face of society’s condemnation. When it comes to ethical matters like homosexuality, we can be confident that living by God’s standards is indeed liberating. It is pleasing to God and promotes human wholeness and well-being. With regard to an issue like ancestral rituals, there is much evidence to show that involvement in these things leads people into deep bondage. Christ has defeated all evil powers, and we can rely on him, rather than on those powers themselves for protection (Ephesians 1:20–23; Colossians 2:15). Over and above the human dimensions of these issues, it is important to think about their effect on our relationship with God. God is our Creator and is worthy of all honour, love, obedience, and worship. To live contrary to his word is an offence against him, and can only invite his wrath. The prospect of eternal punishment is truly something to be feared, and a message which teaches people how to be delivered from that punishment is both pleasing to God and beneficial for all mankind.