August 30, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 - "Praying for the Brethren"

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

"For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 3 lift our eyes straight to Christ, the only Substance of true Faith and the Object of every true prayer. He reminds us that all joy, thanksgiving, and perseverance flow not from what we do, but from what Christ has done. When Paul says, “For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God” (vv. 9–10), he is rejoicing in the fruit of Christ’s satisfactory death on the cross, and His resurrection life for His people (Romans 5:10). Christ is the reason Paul prays, Christ is the Object of their faith, and Christ is the Holiness by which they stand unblameable before God (Colossians 1:22). Everything begins, continues, and ends with Him—the Alpha and the Omega, the Lamb slain from or since the foundation of the world, Who even now intercedes for His elect at the right hand of God, seated in glory having finished the work at the cross (Revelation 13:8; Romans 8:34).

Paul desires that their Faith be strengthened as its Object—Christ Himself—is more clearly seen. True faith is never content in itself. It looks outward, to the Son of God Who loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20). This is the essence of sovereign grace: that God purposed our salvation before the world began, accomplished it in Christ at the cross, and brings it to light through the preaching of the Gospel, and the revelation of Christ by the Spirit. As Paul told Timothy, “God… hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:9–10).

Paul prays that God Himself—our Father and our LORD Jesus Christ—would direct their way and establish them in His Love and Holiness. This is not a holiness that springs from us, for “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Rather, it is that holiness that is Christ Himself—imputed, finished, and perfect. When Paul longs that they be “unblameable in holiness before God” (v. 13), he points them to the only One on which any sinner can stand—the righteousness of God revealed in Christ, revealed in the Gospel (Romans 1:16–17). This prayer is also born of joy. Paul rejoices not in what men have done, but in what God has done by His grace. It is God Who gives Faith, Love, and Hope in the Person and work of the LORD Jesus, His Son (1 Thessalonians 1:2–3). Paul’s thanksgiving is directed heavenward: “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15). True joy flows from seeing Christ formed in His people.

Paul knows that the LORD Who began that good work in His elect will perform it until the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6). And so he pleads that their hearts be kept steady, established upon that Rock which cannot move. Christ is that Rock. He is our Righteousness, our Sanctification, our Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). This is how we are to pray for one another: not merely for earthly ease, but that we may grow in love, be knit together in Christ, and stand firm in His righteousness until He comes for us, either in taking us in death, or resurrected in the clouds of glory at His second coming. May we then echo Paul’s words, asking that the LORD would cause us to “increase and abound in love one toward another” (v. 12), and above all, that He would keep our hearts fixed on Christ, unblameable in His holiness, at the coming of our LORD Jesus with all His saints.

All other ground is sinking sand, but in Christ—the Surety of His people—we are complete. (Colossians 2:10)