" So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord." 1 Thes 3:1-8
I can hear my dad (who is in Heaven) saying, "Now that's really living". He loved to say that quote and I feel like it was in response to usually something food related. An exotic chocolatey warmed dessert with ice cream melting over the top and after the first bite, "Now that's really living"! If the good things on Earth are just a foretaste of what Heaven is going to be like, I wonder what he is saying, "Now that's really living", to now?
We see in this passage what would get Paul to say that in verse 8. If I could paraphrase Paul would be saying, "So they rushed to Jason's house looking for me to assault me and possibly kill me in mob violence, but when they couldn't find me, they beat you guys up? I warned you that people don't like Christ followers. But Timothy tells me that this didn't dissuade you at all and you are still grateful for me and the gospel and are following the Lord even stronger! When I heard that, I clasped my fingers behind my bald head, leaned back in my chair and said to Timothy, 'Now this is really living'".
What is going on in your process of following Christ that elicits that response? Maybe basking in the presence of God as you worship. Maybe you have led someone to the Lord recently. Maybe you are discipling someone and seeing them grow. Someone came to me after class the other day and said she was just at a friend's daughter's 10 year birthday party. Her friend, who is 50 said I went to this doctor I didn't know (me) pregnant and 40 years old looking for him to recommend termination. Instead he prayed with me. Now I'm a Christian, and I have a 10 year old daughter to celebrate! Now that's really living! Aaaah
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