Paul begins his letter to the Thessalonians with a prayer of thanks for the dramatic way their faith in Jesus changed their lives. Their faith, love, and hope resulted in fruitful lives even in the face of suffering. When religion becomes mere words, work, labor, and endurance, Paul’s letter brings us back to the reality of joy and power in our relationship with Christ as we eagerly wait for his return. This is our new identity in Christ: Living in Hope, Growing in Holiness.
Paul encountered opposition in almost every city where he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ…especially in Thessalonica. Yet in every city Paul’s preaching planted hope: a hope centered on Jesus crucified and risen. Wherever Paul planted hope, we see churches grow and lives change. We should never see opposition simply as a sign that we’re planting gospel hope in the wrong way or in the wrong place. Jesus told us there would be opposition. Wherever the Holy Spirit is planting hope through us and in us, he promises that he is also growing holiness.
While the first nine Commandments begin with our actions and lead to our heart, the final commandment begins in the heart. In the commandment to not covet, God tells us not to set our hearts on things that do not belong to us. Even more than that, God tells us to desire only the right things, and then only in the right ways, because coveting is at the heart of every sin we face. May God Order Our Steps as by his Holy Spirit together we work on Ordering Our Desires.
Jesus’ resurrection on that first Easter changes everything for us. Easter is not just about forgiveness of sins (though that would be enough!). Easter makes everything new. In Easter, God makes us into new people through a new birth – so much more than a second chance. In Easter, God takes our dreams and wishes and transforms them into a living hope – a guarantee based on God’s character and sealed with Jesus’ resurrection. In Easter, God guarantees our future for eternity – a rock solid inheritance that no earthly power or force can shake. We are Easter people, and in Easter God makes everything new for us!
Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can hurt us on a much deeper level. The Ninth Commandment prohibits us from “bearing false witness against our neighbor.” In that commandment we also hear God commanding us to use words and actions to build each other up. May God Order Our Steps and Shape Our Hearts as we consider the consequences of every light or heavy word we speak as we grow in Loving Truth and Neighbor.