"For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain." 1 Thessalonians 3:5
Paul had laboured in the lives of the Thessalonians and when he was not hearing from them, he sent Timothy to enquire about their faith, lest the tempter had by any means tempted them, and his labour in their lives come to nought.
Why would Paul be concerned about the possibility of his labour in their lives becoming nought if it was not possible for the tempter to tempt them out of the faith through the tribulation that they were passing through? The object of his concern was first, their faith, and secondly, that his labour in their lives be not in vain. Paul recognized that we have an adversary who is intent on ruining, not only the testimony of our faith, but entirely ruining our faith, which is our life; for this reason, he sent to enquire after their welfare.
Has
the tempter been around you of late? Don't forget, he goes about
looking for who he may devour. Your faith is the tempter's target,
therefore, you must resist
him steadfast in faith. Paul's concern for the faith of the
Thessalonians ought to be our concern for our faith also. The apostle
Peter calls it our precious faith, and truly it is precious because it
is by it that we are able to please God.
Toni
