EMMAUS SCHOOL OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

The main idea of the book is comfort in the second coming of Christ. Paul implores his Thessalonian readers to stand strong in their faith, and assures them that Christ will return, and that upon his return all the struggles and afflictions they have endured will be more than worth the glory of their salvation.

One of my application points from the text was that we must be aware of our actions – just because something is permissible doesn’t mean it is advisable in all circumstances. A analogous point is made in 1 Thessalonians when Paul argues for the sincerity of his motives based on the content his behavior in Thessalonica. In other words, his behavior was just as much as a testament to his beliefs and teaching as were his words. Similarly, in this book Paul states that he provided for himself rather than burden those he taught, not because he didn’t have the right to impose upon them, but in order to give them an example to imitate. Paul has two distinct concerns in behaving the way he does. First of all, he understands that as a leader and teacher of the Thessalonians he is a living example. They are not only listening to his teaching but watching his life. As a bearer of the message of Christ he must himself live out the things he is demanding his disciples to live out. And second, as such, just because he has the right to do something doesn’t mean it is advisable or acceptable under every circumstance. He must take his situation into account. He must be aware of who is watching him, what they struggle with, and how his actions will affect them. I feel like this is particularly relevant in terms of modern Christianity in the U.S. I feel like I have met many Christians who approach this issue completely backwards. Rather than asking how they could be the best example, or have a positive influence on those around them or on their culture, they seem to ask the question, “How much can I get away with?” In other words, I feel like many Christians want to know how much they can be like the world and still be a Christian. I think Paul shows clearly here that the main concern should not be with what the world is doing or what Christian freedom makes permissible, but what actions on our part will speak the most forcefully and clearly for the truth of the gospel and have the most positive impact on those around us. For him, it wasn’t about what he was entitled to do, but what kind of life and actions he wanted to illustrate for those that saw him.

The theme of the book was generally summed up in verse 1:8 – “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The book was structured in this way – the message began to be proclaimed in Jerusalem, then in Judea and Samaria, and finally brought out to the ends of the known world. But my focus as I read was on the people – God’s messengers who received the Holy Spirit and were obedient in fulfilling the mission Christ gave them regardless of the cost.

Then I thought of my own life and how incredibly different it looked contrasted to theirs (the disciples in acts). I realized that I had never really opened myself in this same way to being led by God, to let my life reflect his plans and not my own. I was always was so focused on building up my own life, my own kingdom, and seeking to make it look the way I wanted it to, that I never took the time so ask what God what his kingdom looked like and how I could seek it and contribute to it. I wanted my life to be comfortable, secure, relaxed, and painless. But that isn’t at all what the lives of the disciples looked like – and they were being directly led by the sovereign hand of God and given direction from the Holy Spirit. They put their trust in God and dedicated their lives to building his kingdom and it did not lead to a comfortable, secure life, but rather to a life of persecution, and imprisonment, and often death. Now this isn’t necessarily what God has in store for me, but I realized that we, as believers, should put our trust in God, value his sovereignty, and seek his will through prayer and being open to be led by the Spirit – even if that means accepting a burden that we would not have chosen for ourselves. Whenever we follow God’s plan for our lives we will have much better results than when we try to forge our own way based on what we think our lives should look like. God’s plan is greater than anything we could imagine for ourselves. Also, when we open ourselves up to his guidance we will stop living just for ourselves, and most likely begin to contribute in ways he sees fit to the larger plan for the community of believers and the church in ways we couldn’t comprehend on our own.

“For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
 
This verse reflects the main idea of the book of Luke.  But who were these “lost?”  Luke shows Christ ministering to all of the people that civil society had rejected or devalued.  He touches the unclean, which no other would touch in order to maintain their ritual cleanliness (lepers and the dead).  He talks and eats with those that no one would be seen with, for fear of tarnishing their pristine image of piety (sinners and tax collectors).  He reaffirms the value of women, whom society had derided and disrespected.  He defends the presence of a prostitute, explaining the enormity of her gratitude because of the recognition of her great need.  He helps the sick and the poor.  And, though it results in the extreme displeasure of the Jews, he even ministers to the needs of the Gentiles and welcomes them into the kingdom.  God showed the greatness of his compassion, and mercy, and grace by pouring them out on all those who had the greatest need.
 
But do I reflect these qualities in my own life?  I have felt confident in my understanding that all are welcome in the kingdom.  I know that those who are in the midst of the worst situations are the ones who need Christ the most of all.  But do I personally welcome them?  Have I ushered them into the kingdom?  Here, I realize, has been my weakness.  I would look at people…people that I care about (friends, relatives, co-workers, etc.)…and I would know that they are not Christians, and I would recognize their need for Christ, yet I would say nothing.  Why?  I was not making the mistake of the Pharisees – it was not because I thought they weren’t good enough for God or that God didn’t want them.  It was because I knew how much they valued the things they were in the midst of (drinking, drugs, sexuality) and felt certain that they wouldn’t be interested in giving those up, that they wouldn’t be willing to accept Christ.  It wasn’t my responsibility to make them give those things up, but to give them the opportunity to accept Christ, and to let Him take care of those things in their lives.  I realized what a disservice I had done them.  I had made assumptions about what their reactions would be and how they would respond, and then just accepted those assumptions as truth.  I had failed to deliver answers and hope to the people who needed them the very most.  I recognized that I really need to be willing to put myself aside and unreservedly share God’s truth with exactly these people, because they are exactly the one’s he came to help – the outcast, and the unloved, and the misunderstood…the lost.