If you are a Christian, what will you have to show the Lord for your service for Him? How many people who were lost in sin have come to know Christ as a result of your testimony, your life or your witness? This is an important question that we as Christians face every day of our life. In the final two verses of 1 Thessalonians, Paul points to the Christians at the church of the Thessalonians as reason for him to rejoice, and look forward to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:19,20 “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.”
We all ought to be doing things for the glorification of the Lord and be a mirror image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing speaks louder than a Christian who lives a consistent life for the Lord. How else are we to gain this crown of rejoicing that Paul talks about in verse 19? Paul’s crown of rejoicing, his glory and joy, was the actual results which he could speak for. God would get the glory for the work that Paul had done.
Later in the book of 1 Thessalonians, it talks about the rapture of the church. This could happen at any time. The Bible says in that passage, in 1 Thessalonians 4, that there will be Christians alive when the rapture occurs. That is what Paul is referring to when he says, in verse 19, “in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.” After this event, we will all “settle up” as to what we’ve done for the Lord in our lives here on earth. The Christians who had died will be resurrected to join those who are alive and they will settle up also.
I am afraid that many Christians will come to that judgment day empty handed. So many people think that as long as they go to church regularly, this is what God will reward them for. Never mind the fact that they don’t do anything during the week for the Lord, when their life would actually mean something to someone who is unsaved. Or that they don’t read God’s Word regularly. Or that they are lacking in their prayer life which leads to them not being close to the Lord. We’ve seen time and again in Ephesians, Romans, Philippians and now here in 1 Thessalonians that God expects people to actively work for Him. We are to use our talents which God has provided to win people for God. We are to live our lives each day of the week, 24 hours a day, in such a way that people know what a Christian is; and how it points them toward Jesus Christ.
Paul will have a lot to show God on judgment day. He will be able to claim, no doubt, thousands of converts. This is his a reason he was able to look for the rapture of the church, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. When we read this, it is important to do a self-evaluation of what we have to show God when that day comes.
To learn more about 1 Thessalonians 2, follow this link.
