⁶But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, ⁷for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; ⁸for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

Good news! The Thessalonian Christians are doing well. That would bring joy to the apostle, who can now say, “[W]e really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.” This must be an extension of what Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). There is no better life than that which comes from being wonderfully saved through faith by the love of God, which grows in that faith and love, and finally which helps others grow in faith and love.

The good news that Timothy brought from his brief re-visit to Thessalonica is the euangelizō, from which we get our word “to evangelize,” that is, to bring the gospel or good news. Paul is not saying that their endurance is an aid to being saved. But by using that word he makes it clear that the good news of salvation continues into the good news of sanctification. To put it another way, the gospel is not just about people gaining their spiritual life insurance policy, it is about gaining spiritual life, to gain the more abundant life that Jesus promised. Certainly, salvation is eternal and enduring; it is completely secure. But that is not all it is. It is knowing Jesus (John 17:3) and, as Peter puts it, growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Paul was thrilled with how well the Thessalonian believers were doing in their spiritual walk in the face of the trials of their faith.

The feelings between evangelist and converts were reciprocal. The Jewish unbelievers or the pseudo-believers who held to the Mosaic Law and dogged Paul throughout his ministry were not able to turn the Thessalonian believers against Paul or the teaching about grace. In fact, the believers there longed to see Paul again. The mutual love and concern overflowed. Paul was greatly encouraged, despite his continued experience of persecution.

In the midst of frequent discouragement in Christian ministry, God encourages His servants with the testimony of those who go on well in their Christian life and service. If you are committed to being God’s “fellow worker” like Timothy and Paul (1 Thess. 3:2), this is what you live for. This is what we are willing to die for. This is abundant life. When you see those to whom you minister standing firm in the Lord, the fruit of your labor growing spiritually, the difficulties of life take a back seat to such glory.

Lord, help me look past the difficulties and see the glory of others standing firm.