You see, with Paul, Silas, and Timothy, it wasn’t just that they had ministered to the Thessalonians. By their ongoing testimony, the Thessalonians were ministering to them. This was not just ministry from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the Thessalonians, this was ministry from the Thessalonians to Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Why? Because they became confirmation to one another.
Think of this in terms of a pastor and the congregation. It does me well to see you grow. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, the Apostle Paul says – For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. In Philippians 4:1, Paul says – Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. In 3 John 4, the Apostle John says – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. It does me well to see you grow. And it does you well to see me stay the course. In 1 Timothy 4:15-16, Paul said to Timothy – Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
This isn’t just about a pastor and his congregation. This is about all believers, one to another. It does others well to see you grow. And it does you well to see others stay the course. Genuine testimony is genuine ministry. 2 Corinthians 1:14 says – on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you. When you see someone grow, you see that God is still doing his work in people. When you see someone stay the course over the long haul, you see that God is continuing to do his work in people.
And I’m not just talking about those who always stay perfectly upright on the straight and narrow path. I’m talking about those who may veer back and forth, and up and down and all around the path. They slid back, but now they turn back, because God not only saved them, it is God who is keeping them. We need to continually see people who are turning back around to Jesus. Don’t stay stuck. Throw your hands up in surrender, and Jesus will pull you out of your trouble and into his loving arms. He never let you go. Now is the time to feel his embrace. I know exactly what I am talking about. I’m a confirmation for you. That was me, that is me, and if that is you, come on back, we’re all waiting for you.
You can learn, you can grow, you can improve. And you can turn to God in repentance and faith. So that, even when you’re not really doing so well, you can show yourself to be a good example of how to get better. People need to see good examples of what repentance really looks like. To know how to get back up after falling down. This is a confirmation that God doesn’t throw people onto the scrap heap of life. He pulls them off. Again, and again.
Confirmation is powerful. When you’ve been a believer for many years, it’s a joy to see people coming to the faith. And when you’re a new believer, it’s a joy to see long time believers continuing in the faith. And everyone needs to see people turning back to the faith. Never discount the witness of God’s ongoing work in peoples’ lives. Expect it. Look for it. Be a part of it. And thank God for it. Those who are newer in the faith are an encouragement to those who are mature in the faith. And those who are seasoned in the faith are an example to those who are young in the faith. It is a living ministry that we should be thankful to God for, and remember.
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