1 Thess. 1:3 "We continually 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."
Paul is writing to the Christians in Thessalonica and thanking them and commending them for their faith and the great example they are setting. Apparently, Paul was very proud of and happy with the Christians there.
Paul thanks them for their work, labor, and endurance. He also observes that each one of these qualities was spurred on by faith, love, and hope. The Thessalonian Christians did not work or labor to receive credit or simply because a job had to be done. They did what they did because of the love, hope, and faith in their hearts. Their visible actions resulted from their invisible qualities. How many of my actions result from my love, faith or hope? I need to start there. My deeds are worthless without love. My talk is cheap without hope. I need to begin with the heart today.
Dear Jesus, help my heart be right today. Amen.
