What do FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE have to do with WORK, LABOR, & ENDURANCE?

In the letter called "1 Thessalonians", the apostle Paul writes encouraging words, thanking God for the Thessalonians' faith, mentioning them in prayers. He goes on to say that he remembers their "work produced by faith", their "labor prompted by love", and their "endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).

Let's think about what we are reading here for a minute...  Most of us have heard the wonderful things about "faith, hope, and love".  They make us feel good just to hear those words.  It may remind us of a song we like, our families, a great insprirational calendar page, or piece of art, or perhaps for some they even remind us of God and His great provision for us and the promise of eternal life. 

We don't often (if ever), think or say those words "faith, hope, and love" and also think about "work, labor, and endurance"... do we?  So, why is this letter linking them together?  Consider these facts:

1.  The Bible often shows us the great work that is produced by those who are faithful to God.  They are often very productive in work done for the kingdom.  They do not sit by and watch... they are people of action because of their faith.  In fact, we also read "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:17)

2. When it comes to those that you love, aren't they often the ones that you willfully labor to help and serve?  What about those that you don't even know?... what motivates you to feed the hungry, help the homeless, volunteer at the school, or whatever?  Isn't it love?  Is your labor one of love?

3.  When we read about amazing feats of endurance and perseverance, they are often of people who have faith in God.  However, beyond this human level of endurance, there is a special kind of spiritual endurance which is inspired by the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  The Bible says that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16).  Well, if that fact isn't enough to give you endurance for whatever is it you must endure, then what will?

May God grant you wisdom and understanding of this great blessing: that you will be remembered in loved ones' prayers for your "work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Blessings...

-Andy G.