1 Thessalonians: 1: 2-3

Sean Smith
Sean Smith

Have you noticed how much junk mail there is around nowadays! It seams for every 1 normal letter I get, there are 4 junk letters; asking me if I would like another credit card or a quote for some new windows, or it's a letter from the Royal Mail asking me to fill in a questionnaire about the kind of junk mail I would like to receive! Has the world gone mad?
Anyway, Paul wrote 10 books in the New Testament:-

1.Romans
2.1&2 Corinthians
3.Galatians
4.Ephesians
5.Philippians
6.Colossians
7.1&2 Thessalonians
8.1&2 Timothy
9.Titus
10.Philemon
11.Hebrews (They aren't sure who wrote this)

All of which were letters either to individuals or to churches and this got me thinking. What would Paul write in a letter to me?

1 Thessalonians 1: 2-3
'We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.'

What a fantastic start to a letter! Can you imagine opening a letter like that from the great Apostle Paul! Having your work produced by faith and also the labour that you are doing for God prompted by love (the best motive) and finally, endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ; wow. The church is full of great starters but I want to have an endurance that is inspired by my hope through Jesus by Jesus and in Jesus.

Paul starts his letters with words like:

· To those who are loved by God
· To the Holy
· To the faithful
· To my true son in the Faith

What would your letter start with?

· To the one who started well?
· To the one who never even bothered?
· To the one who occasionally had a go?

Make your life count, you are Jesus' heart, hands, words and example to your friends, family and strangers on the street so make sure you would get a letter like the Church at Colosse.

Colossians 1: 1-2

'Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.' CR

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.