…we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:5
Conversion to Christ results in a number of changes for believers such as our legal status from unrighteous to righteous, from being indifferent or even hostile to Christians to having a true affection for other believers. This latter change is significant for the Christian has moved from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God, helping us love other Christians. In today’s verses, we see evidence of that change in the Apostle Paul. Paul has already revealed his great longing to see and fellowship with the Thessalonian Christians after having been “torn away” from them. This occurred because of the opposition of the Jews in Thessalonica to the gospel, creating an uproar in the city and forcing Paul and his companions to flee for their safety. Paul writes he was “torn away” from them. So great was Paul’s desire to see the Thessalonians again that by the time he wrote his first letter to them, he had been endeavoring “the more eagerly and with great desire” to return to them. Paul desired to see the Thessalonians “face to face.” He wanted to be with them. Christians, simply put, want to be with other Christians. Just as we love a friend or family member, we want to spend time with other Christians. Paul had not yet returned to Thessalonica at the time he wrote 1 Thessalonians because Satan was standing in his way. Through some affliction, Satan was keeping Paul away. But Paul truly wanted to be there. If we truly trust in Christ, we will seek to spend time with other Christians. And if we want to spend time with fellow believers, our enemy will also do what he can to stand in the way of this fellowship. Frequently, it takes effort to visit with other Christians face-to-face, but it is an effort we should make. When we meet together, we build one another up and encourage one another to persevere in faith.
Source: S C Ball March 6, 2024
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