1 Thessalonians 3:7
"For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith."
Last Monday after the snow, I observed my neighbor walking around to people who were shoveling their walks; he was lending them some help. As I was cleaning cars and shoveling my own driveway and walk, I thought the following two things:
1. I can see this offer of self as an annoyance. Why should I help the neighbors when I have enough to do here? He is setting precedent for me and making me look bad.
- This view is full of egotism and reeks of temptation; notice the emphasized personal pronouns "I" and "me."
- This view focuses on God first, neighbor second, and me last. It is how Christ modeled true discipleship, and although I know I more often miss the mark, it is how I want to live.
Paul is talking about the same thing in this verse. Our living acts of faith encourage others.
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