A L M A C I A S

HAPPY MEMORIES

When we study the life and work of the apostle Paul, we find that he was indeed a unique character. It seems to me that any time you look at the life of someone who has served, or is serving, the Lord with all of his mind, heart, and soul, you will find a unique individual. So it was with the apostle Paul. As we study the life and work of the apostle Paul, we find through his writings what kind of a person he really was. In I Thessalonians 1:2ff, we learn that Paul was a man who knew how to appreciate the brethren. Many times we as preachers do not feel very appreciated by the brethren, or at least by some of the brethren. But how many times have we thought that the brethren might have the feeling of not being appreciated by preachers? I have heard preachers say many times, "We are human, too." In fact I myself have said that at one time or another; but we need to remember that members are also human, they also have feelings and would not mind being appreciated also.

The apostle Paul understood this, and therefore in his letter to the Thessalonians expressed his gratitude for these brethren, giving thanks always to God for them. Why was Paul so thankful for these brethren, and why should preachers today also be thankful for the brethren? Paul was thankful because of the fond memories he had of them. He remembered their work of faith, labour of love, and their patience of hope. Paul understood that the kind of faith that we are commanded to have is a faith that works and not a dead faith. As we read in James 2:14 and following, James wrote to the brethren, and to us, that a dead faith that has no works will save no one. Also, Paul mentioned that the Thessalonian brethren were laboring in love. This is the kind of love that we are commanded to have as well, a love that is shown by actions. It is not sufficient just to say that we love someone, or that we love God, and never do anything to make that love evident. The last thing that Paul mentioned was their patience of hope. This was their endurance in the midst of suffering, their perseverance in spite of the trials of life. Could the apostle describe us the same way?