1 Thessalonians 1-2 | What Drives You?

Everyone is motivated by something. What you do on the outside is always driven by what is on the inside. Sometimes those motives are very impure—selfishness, greed, the love of man's applause.

It is a liberating place to have your life and work spring from a higher passion. Paul opens his letter to the people of Thessalonica with applause. He says (as usual) that he is always praying for them and giving thanks because of what they are doing and why they are doing it.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4)

The WORK that springs from FAITH

They were working hard, but apparently is was not coming out of independent, self-focused motivations. They were listening to the Lord and doing what He said. They were relying upon Christ alone for strength and leadership. This is work that is of faith and is the only work that really pleases God. God never intended for any part of our life to be disconnected from Him.

Is your work springing from dependence and faith?

The LABOR that comes from LOVE

They were driven to labor because they loved God and loved others. We can do things out of sheer duty or dogged determination. Or, we can be so in line with the Lord, so filled with His Spirit that the fruit of the Spirit (which is love) drives all our actions.

This is essential because Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that without the love of God pouring through us all we do amounts to nothing and all we receive from all we do is nothing.

Is your labor motivated by love?

The STEADFASTNESS that rises from HOPE

Some people fade quickly. They are like the summer weeds that rise up, but when the heat of the summer comes, they are gone. Jesus spoke of such people as those with shallow spiritual roots.

Some men are nowhere to be found when things get tough. What keeps us going in the worst parts of our life? HOPE. The confident assurance that God will fulfill His promises, that this life is temporary, that our eternity is secure, and that our faithful labor will bear eternal fruit.

Are you persevering with this kind of hope?

Some men live their whole lives serving with proud, independent motivations. They may discover in eternity that what they did amounted to wood, hay, and stubble and is burned away with little eternal fruit. But other humble, loving, persevering men and women will receive a lasting reward before the Father and will be welcomed into heaven by those they have served.

Father, thank You for the privilege of serving You and others. Purify my motives. Show me where I am driven by selfishness and pride. Help me to work by faith, to labor by love, and to remain steadfast in hope.