You are our glory and joy.
But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for [i]a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire
1 Thessalonians 2:17
Paul was so deeply connected to the Thessalonians that separation from them was as if he had been forced to separate from a son. I wanted in all sincerity to return to that city. But, he says he has made more attempts, but it has always been avoided.
He goes on to say that one of the causes of his delay was the opposition of Satan. In verse 18 he writes:
Because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us.
1 Thessalonians 2:18
For Paul, however, the relationships with those believers were of great importance and they express it very well in verse 19:
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
1 Thessalonians 2:19
The Thessalonian believers were his "hope" because he kept thinking about what God was doing through them. They were his "satisfaction" because they reminded him that his work had not been in vain. They were his "crown", referring to the prize he would receive from Christ for his commitment in the name of the Gospel.
Source
And in verse 20 he adds:
For ye are our glory and our joy.
1 Thessalonians 2:20
Paul had invested so much in these people and the fruit of his work were spiritual children, of whom he was already happy. Evidently, he was proud to see how these believers grew and matured in faith despite the strong opposition they endured.
From these brief verses, we see how Paul was seriously interested and also concerned about the young church in Thessalonica. For Paul, what really mattered was not his personal success or his fame. His desire was to see more and more people touched and transformed by the love of God.
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And we must feel that feeling as a messenger of the good news of the Lord, souls for Christ.
Very true, the Apostle Paul was so interpenetrated with his children in the faith that he felt pain when he had to separate from them, a leader never manipulates but loves unconditionally his followers. Good post T.
Resteem/ EC
What are you waiting to participate?
I am preparing a short preaching to make a very short video of 2 min (according to what I understood in the instructions) only 2 min difficult for a preacher hahahahaha
For God and his followers everything is possible hahaha .. 5 minutes .. as they say in Venezuela: "let him move", concerning the Holy Spirit.
Christ is the hope our glory and the source of our joy. Without Him, we would have had any hope of glory in heaven. Without him, tere is no true joy and peace.
Greetings brother.
Remember to visit my blog for the Steemchurch Prayer Guide that will help you pray.
Thanks for commenting, I will visit you.