Title: The Most Blessed Relationship
1 Thessalonians (9) The most blessed relationship (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)
< The most blessed relationship >
There are many large cedar trees in Redwood State Park Provincial Park in the United States. The largest cedar is over 20 meters in circumference. It's tall too, so it's hard to see the end of it when you look from below. Then the roots will be very deep, but in reality the roots are not very deep. So how do you keep it that big? The reason is that the roots of cedar trees are intertwined and depend on each other.
Sometimes when you see a fallen tree there, it is usually a tree standing alone. If you grow up to a certain extent after being alone, you will not be able to overcome your size and will fall. That's why people nicknamed the tree 'a tree that cannot live alone'.
No human being can live alone. Knowing that fact, God made us co-workers when He made us, and allowed us to meet so that we could live together at the right time. Therefore, our meeting is not accidental. You find happiness when you cherish that encounter and not lose your humility. If even one of them has a higher heart in two or more communities, that happiness is destroyed. If your eyes say to your feet, "Don't come near me because it smells!", how would your body be maintained?
Why should we pray for one another in faith? Because my faith alone will fall someday. Some go to church every week, and even after several years, their roots do not become entangled with the person next to them. Then one day you will fall. Living together and paying attention to each other will make you happy. Are you deeply connected with someone right now? Build the happiest relationship, not just a superficially fun relationship. Which relationship is the most blessed?
1. A relationship that is mutually pleasing
Paul was relieved only when the Thessalonians stood firm in the faith, and he confessed, “As you live, I live.” He went through all kinds of hardships to spread the gospel, but seeing the believers' faith growing, he had more than enough joy to offset all the hardships. Be such a joyous relationship with one another (verse 9).
2. An Appreciative Relationship
Paul was moved by the Thessalonians who kept their faith in the midst of tribulation and thanked God (verse 9). Being grateful for each other is the first condition of happiness. Just as small pearls come together to form a necklace, my small gratitude and praise give the other person a great sense of accomplishment and bring happiness. So, instead of saying, “It was your fault,” say “thank you” a lot.
3. A relationship of prayer
The apostle Paul prayed fervently day and night for the Thessalonians (verse 10). In that prayer, the Apostle Paul prayed for love to overflow, and he prayed that he would keep his heart strong and keep the faith until Jesus returns (verses 11-13). Even though it is difficult for me to live alone, if I give up on prayer thinking about how to pray for others, I become a spiritual loser.
4. Relationships that complement each other
Why did the apostle Paul want to see the Thessalonians? I was moved by their pure faith, but it was also because I wanted to make up for their shortcomings (verse 10). What would be lacking? Although they had great faith to endure during the tribulation, there were some saints who fell into vain eschatology because they lacked knowledge of God. I wrote 1 Thessalonians to make up for that lack. Just try to make up for each other's shortcomings.
Why did God have someone by my side? It means making up for each other's shortcomings and fulfilling God's holy vision. Highly successful people are usually people who know how to work together to make up for what they lack. Although the eyes and ears function differently, they complement each other and get along well. Just help each other achieve their vision. God will do great things through that community when they hold hands with encouragement, give them a smile, pat them on the back, give them a phone call, and embrace each other.