Reassurance

Reassurance— The act of removing doubts and fears.

This is particularly true in relating to relationships, including churches. Every relationship has problems at some point. There can be broken trust for instance. For someone to have reassurances, two things are usually present: discouragement and encouragement (two sides of the same coin). 

Paul knew that trust is difficult when there is discouragement. Our text continues in 1 Thessalonians 2.14-20. Where Paul is working at reassuring the followers of Thessalonica. In verse 14 he says— “For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus…” “followers” as in imitators. They were a patterned example to follow and the church in Thessalonica followed that pattern. Evidently there are good and bad patterns and there must be a good pattern here as he continues verse 14-15— “…for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:” It was the Jews who sought Jesus’ death. It was the Jews who stirred up the crowd in Thessalonica too (Acts 17.4-8). In both cases they had locals execute and persecute. To the point— “Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost”(16). The unbelieving Jews blocked every effort to see people not like them saved. Constantly being road-blocked in what you do for God can be discouraging. For the jews; this increases their sins, permanently. “is come upon them”— The judgement is still coming, but pronounced now (“is”). Just because the judge spalls the gavel to the desk doesn’t mean the execution is immediate, usually executions are later. The sentence is so sure that it is; as if it had already happened, so he said “is”. 

It is tantamount to any sin, when a believer would not want others to be saved. That spirit will kill a church, because it’s terribly discouraging to other disciples. Paul knew their discouragement could be devastating if not addressed so he said in verse 17— “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.” Feeling like your alone is discouraging; actually being alone is worse. Their leaders, their mentors, their guides, their teachers were ripped from them. They were surrounded by discouragement, now persecution had set in… If human nature is typical, and it is; they are doubting and questioning. And now, to top that doubt and discouragement, some people are purposefully casting doubt about the ones who brought you to Christ. According to chapters 1 and 2; someone is challenging Paul’s authority, ministry and methods. This is true in every single one of his letters. This tells me that: Satan uses this strategy in churches, because it works with weak christians. Satan has a pattern of discouragement that still works today:  people casting doubt about people in their church, especially leadership or one with potential to lead. 

There are so many ways the Devil discourages us. Through environment, situations, and people. But, aren’t you glad there are people who, no matter what, bring you encouragement? I find here Paul giving his heart to them. Giving your heart encourages others. Although its scary and it can be broken, it’s worth it. Paul said in verse 17— “But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart,” He said— “but we”. Basically saying, ‘we aren’t them’. He wasn’t there physically, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t want to be there. It is human nature to need proofs for confidence in a relationship— so Paul gave them some proof. A Reminder encourages. “…endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.” (17). Paul is reminding them… ‘It is one of my greatest desires to see you.’ Reminders help. You may have thought, ’I think this person is mad at me’. But do you remember who they called when you were down? Do you remember who called them when they were down? You. Ok, then, why are you insecure in your relationship? ‘I don’t know’. Well then, do as Proverbs says and go to them and make it sure by asking them if everything is ok. It is remarkable how much is all just in our head. It doesn’t take much for us to lose it at that point. Remember the scripture says in2 Corinthians 5.7— “(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)” Trust what the Bible says, follow it, and not what you’re thinking. 

Spending time encourages, like verse 18 says “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” He had a special desire to go, and couldn’t. He attempted to go more than once— “once and again”, but was prevented by Satan. It is unclear how he was hindered by Satan; however the motive seems to be to cast doubt and to discourage by way of physical separation. The Devil was running a scheme and if they saw Paul, it would confirm their hearts and ruin Satan’s plan.  So Paul is reassuring them in this letter, that he indeed wanted to see them and spend time with them. This letter itself is proof he cared. People need that. They need reassurances, confirmations, letters, even proof at times. What’s wrong with that? ‘If I have to say it or prove it then it’s on you’. Paul didn’t do that. He gave them assurances of his love and reassured where doubt had crept in. He said “I endeavored to see your face with great desire.”That is a man who cares, who loves, who isn’t afraid to express it. Remember from verses 7 and 11 that he cherished them like a mom and a dad.  

Lifting others up encourages. Verse 19 says— “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” The ultimate lift up— ‘You are the reason I keep on going!  You mean more to me than this temporal life… you’re my crown when I see Jesus, you’re the picture of hope when we see Him together.  You in the presence of our Savior will make all of this worth it.’  He is evoking eternity, heaven, the resurrection, and the judgement. “Crown” here was from their own Grecian games. They wore a victors crown at the end of the games. The crowd would roar in praise for what had been accomplished. So Paul said— ‘You are our rejoicing, you are the victor that will wear the crown and in our minds-eye do now wear the victors crown. You make us to rejoice for you’. In fact he said in verse 20— “For ye are our glory and joy.” Paul is living in the present— “ye are”, but focused on what that will look at in eternity— “glory and joy.” It is now that Paul has realized he wouldn’t see them face-to-face again in this life. So, now he reminds them of who they are to him. And when he sees them again, they won’t be Grecians living in persecution, they will be full of glory and joy! Can you imagine what it will be like when we are all reassembled together one day?  How awesome that will be.  This is the picture of encouragement Paul is painting for them. 

People need reassurance. Why? Because they’re weak?  No… because I am. That’s right, in my weakness I get too busy, lazy, self-minded, and distracted. That brings some guilt or shame, therefore we make tons of excuses that sound good in our head at least. Are people walking around you discouraged? Could we have done something about it? There will be a time when I’m discouraged, who is there to lift me up? 

People are our ministry. Reassure those around you, encourage the discouraged.