FUNDAMENTAL THINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
"Ye turned . . .
to serve . . . and to wait" 1
Thess. 1:9, 10
This letter is full
of interest because it is certainly among the first of those which have been
preserved for us from the pen of Paul. It was the first he wrote to EUROPEAN CHRISTIANS, and in it the FUNDAMENTAL THINGS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE are very
clearly set forth. The words we have taken necessarily need their context for
full interpretation, but taken out in this way they help us to see, in sharp
outline, WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN. This is especially so if they are
read in connection with an earlier description, that in which the Apostle spoke
of their "work
of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope." The 1st
thing in Christian life is that of TURNING TO GOD: that is the "work of
faith." The WHOLE COURSE OF THAT LIFE is that of SERVING THE LIVING GOD: that is "the labor of love." The persistent
attitude of those who, thus TURNED TO GOD, are SERVING HIM is that of WAITING
FOR HIS SON: that is “the patience of hope." It follows that here
we have standards by which we may test ourselves constantly, to turn back to
idols, such for instance as "covetousness which is idolatry," is to
turn from God. To do that, is inevitably to SLACKEN IN SERVICE therefore
slackness in service should ever give us serious concern. To CEASE TO WAIT FOR
THE SON IS TO LOSE THE MOST POWERFUL INSPIRATION TO LOYALTY, and the most urgent
reason for SERVICE. Notice that the true expression of our HAVING TURNED TO GOD
is that of our SERVING HIM; and so also is SERVICE the true way in which TO
WAIT FOR THE SON FROM HEAVEN.
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