There are few things more depressing and debilitating than a false sense of hope that is dashed to pieces on the rocks of reality. Just give it to me straight or don’t give it to me at all. Don’t boost my ego at the expense of my destiny. Don’t tell me things you think I want to hear just to make sure I keep listening to things you want to say.

Image © Bill Osborne from GoodSalt.com

I believe Paul was a godly, God-led man whose words of inspiration have stood the test of time. Concentrated into each of his letters to each church are the realities of what it means to be a follower of Jesus – from being a babe in Christ, to growing up into Him, to functions of the church body, to future glories of the redeemed and to the sometimes painful realities of everyday life as a believer.

However, when I contrast the words of Paul with the words of many of the modern-day voices of inspiration, there is a distinct difference. Listen as Paul addresses the members of the church he founded in the city of Thessalonica. First he compliments them on their love for each other: “the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” 2 Thessalonians 1:3. I like the sound of that. It must have been remarkable and out of the ordinary.

If Paul had stopped there, nothing would have seemed out of the ordinary with today’s messages. After all, everyone agrees on loving each other. It’s simply what we do (or at least say we do). But as Paul continues, he next uses two words that speak to the high calling that is in Christ Jesus. They are “patience and faith.” I know you must be thinking, what’s wrong with that, those are just fruits of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”

Yes, patience and faith are vital to the life of the believer. Patience is born out of faith and demonstrates with remarkable clarity the depth of our convictions. Paul says that he boasts about the Thessalonians because of their patience and faith. But what Paul doesn’t mention is any indication that their patience and faith has brought about a reversal of fortune where they are now the head and not the tail. He doesn’t hint at their patience and faith being the keys to unlock their untapped greatness. Paul never mentions that their patience and faith will lead to the fulfillment of their dreams and aspirations as citizens in the society of Thessalonica.

Paul uses patience and faith in conjunction with persecution and tribulations.

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure.”  2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Persecutions and tribulations come with the territory of being a follower of Jesus. Paul writes about himself to the church in Corinth.

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-27

All of this Paul gladly endured, not in a quest for greatness or to be financially secure. Not in a quest to make a name for himself nor in a quest to “take back what the devil stole.” Paul proudly and willingly endured all of that in his efforts to make known to others the redeeming, soul-saving love of Jesus Christ.

Paul directs his readers higher than worldly pursuits of greatness. He makes no promise that they should expect relief and pleasant sailing after choosing to follow Christ. He doesn’t even offer that they should expect to see their enemies to become their footstools. In his painfully honest letter Paul lets the church know that the Day of Judgment will come, but in God’s own time and God’s own way.

“When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8

But until then Paul prays that “our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.” 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (The Message)¹

So, contrary to what many voices are shouting, let us not be distracted to chase dreams of greatness instead of Christ-like goodness. Let us not pursue a life devoted to gaining personal success at the expense of our personal salvation.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

Here are a few Hit the Mark questions for this week’s lesson discussion:

• What does tribulation mean to you?
• Is it true that God sends tribulations to mature us as Christians? Why yes or no?
• If I lose my job or suffer financially because of my religious beliefs does that mean that I am being persecuted? Why yes or no?
• What does Paul mean in 1 Timothy 6:12 when he says “Fight the good fight of faith?”
• What, if any, are the weapons of a soldier of Christ and who are they to be used against and how?
• Which comes first, loving God or obeying God? Explain your answer.
• Is the following statement True, Mostly True, Somewhat True or Not True: The more faithful I am as a Christian, the less I will have tribulations. Explain your answer.

We close this week’s lesson on Paul: Mission and Message, with words of the Apostle Peter who was on the same page with Paul:

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter1:6-9

Until next week, let’s all continue to Hit the Mark in Sabbath School!

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