Paul is going to tell the people of Thessalonica how much their faith has encouraged him. We usually think of giving encouragement as saying helpful things to others. But we can encourage those around us just by living in faith. They will observe how we handle our troubles. Do we break down and give up when hard times come? Or do we stand firm in faith?
Paul sent Timothy to check on the church members of Thessalonica because he wasn't able to go himself. He was worried that opposition and persecution might have caused some of the people to become discouraged and give up. But now Timothy has returned from his journey, and what he saw and heard at Thessalonica encourages Paul.
"But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters; in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith." (1 Thessalonians 3:6-7) We watch other people, don't we? I know I do. I watch my brothers and sisters in Christ to see how they cope with difficult circumstances so I can learn how to handle things that happen in my own life. I know a number of people who have been through things worse than anything I've been through, and I've seen how they've stood firm in the Lord. I've seen them rejoice in the Lord in the worst of circumstances. You know what that does for me? It encourages me to rejoice in the Lord in my own circumstances. It teaches me how to cope when it seems like the world is falling apart. I don't watch other people to see if they will break down and give up; I watch them hoping they won't break down and give up. People are watching us to see how we handle everyday life and how we handle difficult circumstances. Most people (even unbelievers) don't want to see us broken by life. They want to see us living victoriously in Christ. They want to know that the power of Christ is real and that He can give us the grace to get through anything. We can and we should encourage others by speaking helpful words, but we can also encourage them simply by how we live when times are tough.
Paul and his companions are so encouraged by the strength of faith of the believers in Thessalonica that their own strength is renewed. Hearing good news from Thessalonica has breathed new life into them. "For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith." (1 Thessalonians 3:8-10) He hopes to see them again in person and instruct them face to face. He has been a Christian longer than they have and he is more mature in Christ than they are. He believes, as an apostle and teacher, that they can benefit from a visit from him. He wants to help them grow and mature in the faith. They are still babies, in a way, so he's not insulting them by suggesting that they still need his fatherly guidance.
"Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12) The evidence that we are growing in Christ is that we love others. This is the proof that we are followers of Christ, for He said, "By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)
"May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones." (1 Thessalonians 3:13) Paul reminds them that the Lord could return for the church at any moment. They should be living in a manner the Lord can commend when He returns. The Lord Jesus promised it would go well for us if we are doing what's right even in His absence, and if we are still doing what's right when He returns. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants of his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns." (Matthew 24:44-46)
Until the Lord returns, we are to keep doing what we're called to do. We mustn't get discouraged and say, "He isn't coming in my lifetime. Every day is like the one before it. Things are going to keep going on like this day after day. My circumstances don't seem to be changing and I feel like giving up." No, we are to encourage ourselves in the Lord as David did (1 Samuel 30:6), and we are to encourage each other in the Lord, and we are to keep on doing what the Lord gives us to do. People are watching us to see how we handle adversity. Do we want to be responsible for causing others to give up because we gave up? Instead falling into despair when troubles come, we are to meet together with other believers as often as possible so we can strengthen each other while we live in this wicked world, as Paul advises in Hebrews 10:23-25, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another---and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
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