1 Thessalonians 3:9-10
9 For [gar] what [tis] thanks [eucharistia] can we [dunamai] render [antapodidomi] to God [theos]
again [antapodidomi] for
[peri] you, [humon] for [epi] all [pas] the joy [chara] wherewith [hos] we joy [chairo] for [dia] your sakes [humas] before [emprosthen] our [hemon] God; [theos]
10 Night [nux] and [kai] day [hemera] praying [deomai] exceedingly [ek] [perissos] [huper] that [eis] we might see [eido] your [humon] face, [prosopon] and [kai] might perfect [katartizo] that which is lacking [husterema] in your [humon] faith [pistis]? KJV-Interlinear
9 For what thanks can we render
to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God
on your account, 10 as we night and day
keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is
lacking in your faith? NASB
Throughout life, we all
experience successes of one type or another. But life s successes from this world are always
temporary ones.Nothing in, or from,
this world is permanent.
The spiritual life is
not from this world, but from heaven and God.
And as such, everything related to the spiritual life, is eternal.
Paul is thankful
because of the very existence of the believers in Thessalonica, (and everywhere
of course).
Believers are the
single and only reason that blessings come to this earth. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were evicted from
the Garden.Their perfection or
innocence was lost and therefore the Garden became off limits.
When Noah lived, the
world became evil.And so much so that
there were only eight believers remaining at the end of that era of
history.When the flood waters came,
eight were aboard the ark and millions and perhaps tens of millions more, died
in the flood.
God looks down the
tunnel of time and is able to see all who will believe in Christ,
and all who will grow up in their spiritual lives. And because of them, the world receives
blessing after blessing, and will continue to receive blessing after blessing
until there will be no more new believers.
Then of course history will come to an end.
This world was not
placed here in order to perpetuate evil, but to prepare those who are saved,
for the next great increment of their life, namely eternity.
The more you learn, the
more you grow up.And the more you grow
up, the more blessings come into this world through you.
Now think of it for a moment. Of all the people in the world, of all the
elite types, the celebrity types, of all the aristocrat types, none of them,
not even one of them generates blessings for this planet.
As a mature believer,
you who are nameless as far as the world is concerned, do more for this world,
than all of that crowd combined. And so, from yesterdays study, you may be
alone in your room, or even standing in a huge crowd, but without lifting a
finger, you have more impact on this world than anyone else.
With spiritual growth
comes contentment, regardless of your circumstances. One day, you and I and millions more, will meet
in heaven, and there we will all have the opportunity to get acquainted and
learn of each others story. And we will all laugh at each others stories and be in awe, at how God, through doctrine
(and through us that will be the funny part), sustained human history,
despite all of the best of plans that humanity can come up with.
Today we all have a
unique opportunity of observing history unfold.
Knowing that we may very well be the last great country to fall in
history.And even though it may not be
for another century, our happiness and welfare does not lay in the plans of
man, but in Gods plan for our individual life.
The more you study, the
more you will learn.And the more you
learn, the more you will advance in your spiritual life.
Paul wanted to teach
and teach so that those who were interested, would
have the opportunity to advance to a phenomenal success in their spiritual life.
My objective from this study, is to help everyone who has the desire to learn, to
do just that and more.And though I usually
save my thanks for the holiday (Christmas, New Years, etc.) times, it would
only be appropriate to tell you all thank you for your support, for your
dedication, for your perseverance in your spiritual life.
From my family to
yours, all of our prayers go out for everyone.
To Him who is able to
keep you from falling, and to present you without blemish, before the presence
of His glory, with exceeding joy.To the
only wise God, and savior, even Jesus Christ our Lord. To whom be glory and
majesty, dominion and power forever.
Amen.