Being “Moved By These Afflictions?”

1Thess.3:2] And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:

[3] That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

There is a saying, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.’ And this is meant to imply that when things begin to get ‘rough’ in our lives, we need to ‘quit while we are ahead.’ And the wisdom of men cannot discern having “afflictions,” and not ‘moving out of harms way.’ And we know that the wisdom of God is foolishness unto the man, and the things that Paul writes unto the Thessalonian Saints seems “foolish” by those operating upon a carnal mind. Paul says that they should not be moved by those afflictions, and that they were “appointed thereunto” them. And only those who love God with His selfless love, and are “the called according to His purpose” will see the godly glory in not being moved by those afflictions, but like Paul told Timothy, be a “partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”

2Tim.1:8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Furthermore, today’s Church teaches the opposite of the truth of the will of God, they teach you are blessed of God when you do not have afflictions and tribulation. But we must understand, our Lord and savior suffered unto death, the apostles and men of God suffered as well, and as Paul says to Timothy “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The afflictions of the gospel will come unto those who are a “living sacrifice,’ and has become a “good soldier of Jesus Christ.” And he is no longer following the course of this world, but he is now operating upon the Power, and will of God. And when this happens, the Saint begins to ‘stand out’ among the people who are conformed to this world,  they will persecute, and hate those who oppose the life of this world. This is where the doctrine of the Armour is “put on” as we will “wrestle” against those afflictions.

1Thess.3:4] For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

[5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Therefore, Paul teaches us that we too ought not be moved by the afflictions that may come for the gospel’s sake. And only the Spiritual minded Son could understand this selflessness. The men of this world ‘puts up with’ afflictions for their loved ones for only so long, and then they ‘move away’ from the affliction. But the godly in Christ knows that “we should suffer tribulation,” but this will be done by those who are living godly. And just as the Thessalonian Saints were rejoicing in their tribulations for Christ’s sake, “with joy of the Holy Ghost,” God desires that we too be as the faithful Thessalonian Saints knowing that “our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

1Thess.1:6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1Thess.3:7] Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

2Thess.4:17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Finally, those who are “perfect,” desire to be “transformed by the renewing of” their mind away from this world’s wisdom knowing that our affections come from not just the men of this world who hates us, and our Father’s Word, but also from Satan and the spiritual wickedness in high places. Satan wants us to be “moved” out of his way, this is why Paul says, “neither give place to the devil.” We ought to know that the sufferings for Christ’s sake are essential to the Power of God in the ‘war’ that are appointed thereunto. This essential Power is “given” unto us on the “behalf of Christ: “Phil.1:29] For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” But many Saints do not want this ‘gift’ from our Lord Jesus Christ, Man desires what he can see, and the things that caters to his flesh. But it is our selfless love abounding  “more and more” that God desires, and this is accomplished by His word designed to “perfect” us, and “stablish our hearts.” And when the afflictions come unto us, we are comforted by the His Word, and adorn the doctrine of the God of peace and of all comfort to His glory.

1Thess.3:10] Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

1Thess.3:11] Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

[12] And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

[13] To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Rod Jones