1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
1Th 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
We are appointed to afflictions.
We will suffer tribulations.
These are facts. The followers of Christ do NOT walk an easy path and if they think they should they haven't read their Bibles.
Men get it in their head that things ought to be peaceful and wonderful, everyone should get along here and now on earth but our LORD even says this--
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
How do those who cry out for peace explain that verse and the following?
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
We are NOT going to have it easy, yet many of us do, don't we? Many of us live peaceful lives for the most part and aren't experiencing tribulations. But we are only a small minority in a huge world and in that huge world there are many countries where being a follower of Christ is very dangerous and anything but peaceful. Because we aren't personally touched by this we live in a bubble that keeps us from realizing fully that the words of Christ then are still relevant to us today.
When Paul was writing to those who had heard the gospel and had become followers of Christ, born again unto our Savior, He wanted them to know that things wouldn't be easy, and they weren't.
1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
1Th 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
He was worried that Satan would sneak in and steal away those who wanted to be Christ's. The tempter- tempting you. That's what He does best. Satan will tempt us with all sorts of things, in fact anything he can tempt us with in order to steal our faith away. We have to help others who face the tempter, and pray for help for ourselves, because we aren't immune to the trials and tribulations, the temptations that will come and have come to man since sin entered the world.
By the grace of God may we keep our FAITH. Please LORD, help us, save us, keep us!
1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
1Th 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
We are appointed to afflictions.
We will suffer tribulations.
These are facts. The followers of Christ do NOT walk an easy path and if they think they should they haven't read their Bibles.
Men get it in their head that things ought to be peaceful and wonderful, everyone should get along here and now on earth but our LORD even says this--
Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
How do those who cry out for peace explain that verse and the following?
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
We are NOT going to have it easy, yet many of us do, don't we? Many of us live peaceful lives for the most part and aren't experiencing tribulations. But we are only a small minority in a huge world and in that huge world there are many countries where being a follower of Christ is very dangerous and anything but peaceful. Because we aren't personally touched by this we live in a bubble that keeps us from realizing fully that the words of Christ then are still relevant to us today.
When Paul was writing to those who had heard the gospel and had become followers of Christ, born again unto our Savior, He wanted them to know that things wouldn't be easy, and they weren't.
1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
1Th 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
1Th 3:5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
He was worried that Satan would sneak in and steal away those who wanted to be Christ's. The tempter- tempting you. That's what He does best. Satan will tempt us with all sorts of things, in fact anything he can tempt us with in order to steal our faith away. We have to help others who face the tempter, and pray for help for ourselves, because we aren't immune to the trials and tribulations, the temptations that will come and have come to man since sin entered the world.
By the grace of God may we keep our FAITH. Please LORD, help us, save us, keep us!
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