Vs 6. The good news . . . . Of your faith.
Paul was not seeking information as to how they were all doing in school or how the jobs were going. He was asking expressly about their faith. Let’s think of it this way. If I walk up to you and say hey how’s it going you may say well okay. My job was tough this week and I had to work over two nights and my boss he’s a real stinker and on and on. And I’m glad you told me that, but honestly if you tell me about your faith then I’m encouraged, and you’re encouraged and if your behavior is in line with your belief then probably the bigger part of our discussion is thanking the Lord for the endurance to work extra and make some additional money and how I can find an opportunity to tell my boss about the Jesus that loves him. Paul didn’t ask about their jobs; he probably knew that some of them had already lost their jobs because of their new-found faith in Jesus. Paul knew that suffering was going to be the norm and they may as well get used to it but the suffering was going to be worth it.
Vs 7. The fact that you are doing well has encouraged us, it has comforted us in the faith. Your faith is not yours to hoard it is yours to give away. This is where behavior and belief intersect. How are you doing with that? We are never promised to live a life free from obstacles.
Vs. 8. Look at the behavior/belief paradigm there. For now, we live, if we’re standing fast in the Lord. There is a huge difference between living and being alive. Granted everyone here today is a living being. Some more than others. But to be alive it takes us out of the body temperature and heartbeat criteria and places us in the heavenly realm that in Christ Jesus we are truly alive. And only in Him are we alive. Better is one day in His house than a thousand elsewhere.
What will be the results of our life be if our behavior and our belief are firmly woven together?
Vs, 11. May God direct our way to you. If behavior and belief are one then we will have great
community.
Vs. 12. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another. Spoiler alert
church (it’s not all about you)
Vs. 13. Our hearts with be blameless in Holiness before God.
