Title: I Live When You Live
1 Thessalonians (8) When you live, I live (1 Thessalonians 3:1-8)
< The blessing of true faith >
When we suffer, our thoughts are compounded when we focus on analyzing the causes of suffering. “Why? For what? What did I do wrong?” When your thoughts become so complicated, you become weak and fall before you even get an answer. No matter how accurately we analyze suffering, it does not alleviate suffering. God's will is so subtle and mysterious that we cannot and do not need to know all the mechanisms of suffering. The important thing is to have a sincere faith that only looks to God in the midst of suffering.
If someone works a miracle, don't look at it and follow him. When people see a miraculous miracle, rather than looking at God with that miracle, it is easy to look at the miraculous miracle and forget about the cross. Even heretical religions have miracles. Satan also works. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he miraculously tempted Jesus, but he overcame the temptation. Not all 'wonderful things' are 'valued things'. What is more valuable than miracles is ‘living according to God’s calling with strong faith’.
As the donkey entered Jerusalem carrying Jesus, people shouted. “Hosanna! Hosanna!” Then the donkey was mistaken. "uh! People welcome me so much! Did I suddenly become great?” He did not know that it was because of Jesus riding on him, and he fell into an illusion. How many people were once used by God and then fell into such an illusion and fell into ruin? That is the number one cause of unhappiness.
The important thing is not to lose the vocation you have been given to the end and to look only to the Lord. They have no sense of calling and are constantly searching for miracles that are strange because they look at people. Now, have faith that only looks to God. Then you will become bolder, and those who have such bold faith will give strength and courage to those around you as well. In the end, a person's sincere belief is an indirect love for those around him.
< When you live, I live too >
After leaving Thessalonica, the apostle Paul wanted to see the Thessalonians so much that he sent Timothy, the son of faith, to Thessalonica so that their faith would not waver even in the midst of tribulation (verses 1-3). Timothy went to Thessalonica and delivered the good news of the Thessalonians' faith and love, and that they also eagerly wanted to see Paul and his companions (verse 6). The news gave the apostle Paul great strength and comfort. The greatest strength and comfort to the shepherd is to see the saints who are in distress do not lose their faith and live with unchanging joy.
As the Apostle Paul preached the gospel, there were many times when he was hungry and there were many times when he suffered. In such a situation, see the Thessalonians standing firm in their faith, receiving great comfort and confessing that they will live for it. In the end, my faith is like saving and loving others indirectly. God said, “Love one another!” The most practical practice of love is to show the person you love to stand firm in faith in the midst of suffering. So let your faith strengthen your loved ones.
The principle also applies in reverse. In other words, when I lose faith, I indirectly hate the people around me. When I put on a dark expression, the people around me cannot feel at ease. That's why my beliefs are so important. When a person enters the community, the fire that was extinguished in that community is revived. On the other hand, when someone else comes in, the fire goes out and only smoke comes out. One person is so important. Could the difference be due to one's personality? It may be, but the truth is that the difference is due to his beliefs.
Any problem is not a big deal for those who believe in the good will of God while recognizing the value of being a great being as a child of God. Therefore, no matter what hardships and problems you face, do not waver in your faith and your sense of calling. Faith that does not waver even in the midst of hardship is the 'foundation of success', the 'core of success', and the 'prediction of success'.