Faith Can Lead Feelings:
Work Produced by Faith
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Paul’s letter to the Christ followers in Thessalonica we see that they had a faith that was more than words. Paul refers to the “work produced by faith.” The New Testament believers understood that faith is a working grace. This work is not about earning our salvation, but rather accomplishing great things for God and His kingdom. Feelings, on the other hand, can often leave us paralyzed, accomplishing nothing. Feelings such as fear, worrying and stress make us want to go pull the covers over our heads!
If we are going to be productive members of God’s family, we must insist our faith rule over our negative feelings. We must allow our faith to produce good work while we wait for Jesus’ return. The question for us to deal with is: Will He find us faithfully working for His kingdom when He comes back?
Our faith works, first, within us. It produces a purity of character—an integrity to back up our good deeds. God goes beyond the inner work and creates a mission for each of us to accomplish. This mission will always need faith to make it happen. God’s missions always have an element that goes beyond our human resources. Our first human reaction is normally to fear. We must allow our faith to overcome our fears if we plan to produce the godly work assigned to us!
Father, help me to see the mission you have for me. Big or small, I want to be a faithful worker and accomplish it for you! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.