Monday 10th February
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2
“You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.” (NIVUK)
If one of the marks of true discipleship is suffering for the sake of Jesus, some may wonder whether we should be actively seeking it out. After all, as Paul (and Peter and James and John) argues: “… we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5) (NIVUK).
There is amazing fruit borne in suffering. Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers of this also (v1). They had arrived in Thessalonica from Philippi, and immediately went to the synagogue to tell others about Jesus (Acts 17:1-5). The town rioted in consequence (Acts 17:6-9). Paul reminds them they did not have an easy time in Philippi either (v2), they were ‘treated outrageously’, beaten with rods and locked up without trial. But if good things come from suffering then should it be sought out?
The end of the story in Acts is instructive. When the town rioted in Thessalonica and sought to repeat the suffering meted out in Philippi, the new believers snuck Paul out of the city. “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea.” (Acts 17:10a) (NIVUK). An act with which he was quite familiar (cf Acts 9:23-25). It was prudent for them to leave, so he left. There was no martyr complex involved but an eminently sensible response to avoid suffering.
But note the end of the verse, “On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.” (Acts 17:10b). Paul’s first act after escaping Thessalonica was to begin telling others about Jesus. Paul always ‘dared to tell others his gospel’. If suffering followed, suffering followed. Fruit would flow from that also – but what was non-negotiable was telling others about Jesus. He could avoid suffering sometimes, but he could never avoid telling others the good news.
