或許我不該用太多篇幅討論一節經文，但是本課鑰節確實讓我感觸良深。保羅認為帖撒羅尼迦的基督徒，他們的信心，產生了「工夫」（可能是指道德行為）；他們的愛心，能促成「勞苦」（可能是指身體上的勞動）；而他們的盼望，激發出「忍耐」。

        任何一位稱職的神學家，會告訴你，你對上帝虔信，絕不可能不發生影響，促成道德上的行為。誠如經上所示，上帝使人的靈魂有永恆的價值。既然人的靈魂是那麼貴重，任何行為若致使一個人離開上帝，那便是罪。這就是為什麼，祂的話語中，有那麼多要求我們言行合乎上帝旨意的命令。我們遵守命令，不但因為我們「畏懼」祂；可是，也因為我們愛祂。

        我們為什麼要愛祂呢？最要緊的，因為祂創造了我們，又給了我們愛的需要和能力；其次，祂在基督裡顯示了祂對我們的愛。我們愛，因為祂先愛了我們。──這便是我們努力行善的原因──不是為得什麼，而是與別人分享祂豐富的愛。愛激勵著我們，而盼望則啟迪我們。

        那我們的盼望是什麼呢？那便是上帝本身，而且祂賞賜那尋求祂的人（來11：6）。我們相信祂在基督裡所做的一切，還有祂對未來所做的應許。祂正「為我們豫備地方」，而耶穌也要再來，把我們帶到那個地方去（約14：3）。我們有一位愛我們的天父，而且不久就要帶我們前去，與祂永遠同在。這是我們能「忍耐」的原因。把希望定在那裡，實在具有豐富的意義。

        主，我們像保羅一樣禱告，感謝您，賜給我們所有在基督裡的弟兄和姊妹。感謝您，他們有愛、有信、有忍耐，並有在我主耶穌基督和您我們的上帝與天父裡，確定的盼望。奉耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

English

        I don't think I should be dogmatic about this, but what I see in the key verse certainly gives room for some good constructive thinking. Paul commends the Thessalonian Christians for their faith which has produced "work" (probably referring to moral conduct), their love which has prompted "labor" (probably referring to physical toil), and their hope which has inspired "endurance".

        Any theologian worth his salt will tell you that you cannot have faith in God without it affecting your moral behaviour. As you read the Bible, you see that God places eternal value on the human soul. Because it is so valuable, any activity that separates a soul from God is called sin. That's why His Word has much to say about ordering our private lives according to His will. We obey, mainly because we "fear" Him, but also because we love Him.

        Why do we love Him? First of all, because He has created us with a profound need and capacity to love; secondly, because He has revealed His love for us in Christ. We love Him because He first loved us. That's why we labour in good works — not to gain points, but to share the richness of His love with others. Love compels us, and hope inspires us.

        And what is our hope? That "God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb.ll:6). We trust what He has done in Christ and what He has promised us about the future. He is preparing "a place for us" and Jesus is coming back to take us to that place (John 14:3). We have a Father who loves us and is soon taking us to be with Him forever. That's why we "endure". Hanging in there makes a lot of sense.

        Lord, we join in prayer as Paul did, thanking You for all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You for their love, faith, patience, and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ and in Your sight, our God and Father.