We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)
Which came first: The chicken or the egg? Have you heard people ask that question? Maybe even argue about it? The Bible tells us the answer: The chicken came first! God created a mature world with plants, animals, and people in it who were already fully grown. God made chickens first, and he gave chickens the ability to produce eggs, just like he made Adam and Eve with the ability to produce children.
Here’s a similar question: Which comes first: Faith or works? Have you heard people ask that question? Do people first come to faith in God and then do good works, or do people need to do good works before they come to faith in God? Which comes first: Faith or works?
Most religions say they know the answer: Works! They teach something like this: “If you do the right things, then God will love you. If you live a good life, then you will be close to God. If you’re a good person, then God will be good to you. Works, then faith.” Got it? Except, are you good? Do you always do the right things? No! So does God love you? What an awful teaching!
The Bible tells us the opposite: Faith comes first. Paul praised the Thessalonians for “your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” Which came first: Work or faith? Faith comes first! Which came first: Their labor or God’s love? God’s love! Which came first: Their endurance or hope in Jesus? Hope in Jesus!
Do you see the difference? The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to create faith in our hearts. The gospel message of Jesus fills our hearts with God’s love. The good news of the Bible inspires us with hope in Jesus. Hope for today and hope for tomorrow and hope for eternal life with Jesus in heaven.
Those are what lead to a changed life: Faith, love, and hope. Those lead to work, labor, and endurance. Faith comes first! Want a life filled with good works? Grow in your faith through God’s Word.
Dear God, we want to live Christian lives filled with work and labor and endurance to your glory. So please fill us with faith and love and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, because faith comes first. Amen.
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