An agnostic once challenged evangelist Harry Ironside to a debate. Ironside accepted, but with one condition. The agnostic must bring with him one man and one woman whose lives had been transformed by the power of unbelief: “The sins he once loved, he now hates, and righteousness and goodness are now the ideals of his life…all because he is an agnostic.” For his part, Ironside promised to bring at least 100 people whose lives had been thus transformed by the gospel. The challenger walked away.

The power of the gospel is real, because it’s God’s power. Paul and his team had planted the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17), but due to Jewish hostility they’d had to leave town quickly. This meant they hadn’t had time to teach them the basics of the faith to the extent they would have liked. So behind today’s reading are questions: What’s been happening in Thessalonica? Are the believers there okay? Is the church enduring well?

Timothy had been sent to find out and encourage them (v. 2) and had returned with the good news that they were standing firm (vv. 6–8). The Thessalonian church, turning from their old lives and growing in Christ, was facing intense challenges, including trials (v. 3), persecution (v. 4), and temptations (v. 5). What if they’d been overwhelmed or defeated after Paul’s departure? Then his missionary labors would have been in vain (v. 5).

God had been faithful, however, as Paul knew He would be (v. 8). So why did he express these feelings? To show them how much he loved them and what a fatherly feeling he had toward them. “Now we really live,” he rejoiced (v. 8). Fighting temptation is not only an individual experience but a community one for the church as God’s family!

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