DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13  (11/17)  Epistle for Tues. of the Twenty-fourth Week after Pentecost

 

Apostolic Goals II ~ Holiness: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, especially vss. 12, 13: “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love...so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father....”  In First Thessalonians 2:20-3:8, the Apostle Paul reveals how it is possible to stand fast in the life in Christ.  In today's passage, he outlines how steadfastness relates to holiness, for he points to a natural spiritual movement - from faith, to love, to holiness.  Faith and love provide the power to stand fast.  In turn these lead to another goal of the Apostles for us - one for which the Lord Himself prays - our sanctity (Jn. 17:17).

Both Saint John the Theologian and the Apostle Peter understand that holiness is the standard by which it is possible to judge the authenticity of faith (see 1 Jn. 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:15).  Also, the Apostle James understands the necessity of holiness as the basis for a good defense before the judgment seat of the Lord (Jas. 1:12), and Saint Paul does as well - as the quote above reveals.  In the Epistle for today, the Apostle carefully traces the progress of the Faithful who grow from faith to love into holiness.  Let us learn to walk this path.

Saint Paul tells the Thessalonians of the joy he has because of their faith (1 Thess. 3:9,10).  Earlier, he admitted his concern that perhaps they had slipped from faith (1 Thess. 3:5).  He knew well their pagan past and how easy it could be to revert.  But no!  They were standing fast, and so, he rejoices (1 Thess. 3:6,8).  Then, as he speaks of their faith, he reveals how he longs to visit them again to “...perfect what is lacking in your faith...” (1 Thess. 3:10).  He knew what every growing Christian recognizes - faith not only needs planting, but also nurturing, and it may be damaged by succumbing to the non-Christian world that surrounds the faithful.

To prevent spiritual death, there must be forward movement in faith; and we live in a culture that even now is wallowing in paganism.  Hedonism, secularism, and humanism abound, and permeate the media with a flood of enticing invitations to reject faith in God.

Take careful notice how the Apostle prays for the Thessalonians even as he speaks of the need to continue growing in faith: may the Lord make them to “...increase and abound in love to one another and to all...” (vs. 12).  First, consider the “...work of faith...in our Lord Jesus Christ...” (1 Thess. 1:3).  One may have faith in all sorts of things in this life - gods, projects, and people; but to trust in the Lord Jesus is a specific faith, having exact commitments.  Simply put, faith in our Lord, when fully grown and mature, produces godly love for others - in the Church and in the world - even love for those who deny the Faith and hate us.  For this reason, the Apostle told the disciples in Galatia, “...as we have opportunity, let us do good to all...” (Gal. 6:10).

Either our care, respect, kindness, patience, and consideration for the needs of others manifest themselves in us or else our profession of Christ is sorely lacking.  How shall we say it?  Faith in Christ specifically loves as He does!  Love in Christ leads on to holiness.

Hence, Saint Paul says, “...may the Lord make you increase...in love...so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness...” (1 Thess. 3:12,13).  Faith and love are gifts from God, but so is holiness.  Each virtue requires us to cooperate actively with God if we hope to grow toward holiness.  God’s grace and our efforts must be coupled.  Saint Paul prayed that God would give His gifts of faith, love, and holiness to the brethren in Thessalonika; and the Apostle is praying for us even now, directly, as he stands before the Throne of the Giver of grace.  Let us labor at every virtue.  Trust God.  “Owe no one anything except to love one another...” (Rom. 13:8) so that genuine holiness may flourish in us all.

Teach us to love, O Lord, even as Thou dost love us in purity and in holiness.

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