Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; [3] Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;" (1 Thess. 1:2-3). It takes the labour of love, work of faith and patience of hope to undo the works of the evil one in man. The presence of these works will make a man to keep living in the sight of men.
The natural man always wants to be perceived by other men as perfect. He loves the honour of men because it gives him satisfaction. This is why it is usually difficult for God to deliver us from a heart that likes to have reputation in the sight of men. The satisfaction of our souls should spring from Everlasting Life and not our ability to please men. We must take comfort in what Everlasting Life has to offer. We must desire to live in the sight of God and not of men. We must also take pleasure in waiting for the appearance of the Son.
"For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;" (1 Thess. 1:9). The pattern of the world is an everlasting problem, but it would not last forever. God desires to give man Everlasting Life, therefore, He sent His Son to take away the everlasting problem (John 3:16). We should live for Everlasting Life. However, it is only through the teaching of the word of God that we would be exposed to this life. We should be excited about Everlasting life because it is a season that would bring the comfort which God originally intended to the church. It is a season where man will receive the comfort that Adam did not enjoy. Everlasting Life is the rest for the people of God. It is a rest that springs forth the promise of God. Therefore, just like the Hebrew church, we are also being introduced to this rest (Heb. 4:9-10).
The Hebrew church had come into the first estate of rest, but they were also being taught to partake of the second rest, which is Everlasting Life. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28). As we find grace to keep the instructions of the present word that we are hearing, we would add to our souls, those things which will introduce us to Everlasting Life. The enemy can no longer harass us like he did previously because we now have a true definition of rest. As we hear and partake of the teaching of the present emphasis, it will become more natural for us to keep some commandments.