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The
Apostle Urged Believers To This
Second Grace
THE THESSALONIANS
1. They were fully converted. Paul
addressed them as "the church of the Thessalonians which
is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ."
He further says, "We give thanks to God always for
you all, making mention of you in our prayers: remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love,
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the
sight of God and our Father; knowing, brethren beloved,
your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in
the word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,
and in much assurance: as ye know what manner of men we
were among you for your sake. And ye became followers
of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in
much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye
were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and
Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not
only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your
faith to God-ward is spread abroad.... Ye turned to
God from idols to serve the living and true God."—1
Thess. 1:1-9.
This is too plain to need comment.
It cannot be denied that the Thessalonian brethren, to
whom Paul addressed his epistle, were genuinely converted
to God.
2. They were not backslidden. Paul
was at Athens and sent Timothy to "comfort them
concerning their faith." —3:1, 2. "Now when
Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have
good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us,
as we also to see you: therefore, brethren, we are
comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by
your faith."—1 Thess. 3:6, 7. Here we see that
Timothy brought Paul a good report of their spiritual
condition. But while they were clearly justified, there
was still something lacking.
3. A Lack, "Night and day
praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might
perfect that which is lacking in your faith."—1
Thess. 3:10.
4. What was the lack? "To the
end he may stablish your hearts unblamable in
holiness."—1 Thess. 3:13. For this is the will of
God, even your sanctification." 4: :3 "For God
hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto
holiness." 4:7. "And the very God of peace
sanctify you' wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and
soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you,
who also will do it."—1 Thess. 5 :23, 24. "The
Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you
from evil."—2 Thess. 3:3.
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