What is the answer to the world’s problems? On all sides we see deception and hatred. People kill and covet. Greed and licentiousness are everywhere. Nations bicker and fight with one another. In spite of all the laws which are passed; in spite of all the peace conferences and negotiations, the problems remain. Could it be that our laws and treaties only address symptoms rather than the root issue? In writing to the followers of Christ at Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul indicates that one of the root causes of wickedness is that people do not love and believe the truth. What is the solution? In chapter 3, verses 1 through 5, Paul writes, “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.”
If the reason there is wickedness all around us is that people do not believe the truth then the solution is to give them the “word of the Lord.” What does the “word of the Lord” mean? It is equivalent to the phrase “the Good News of our Lord Jesus” which Paul had used in chapter 1, verse 8. Christ is the only One who brings us “good news.” In every other religion, there is only a message of condemnation for those who do wrong. Christ not only provides forgiveness for sins, but also changes our nature so that we no longer want to sin.
When we look at the wickedness that is in the world, we often feel helpless to do anything about it. But Paul asks those to whom he is writing to pray that God’s Word will spread rapidly. What this means is that our prayers do have an effect on what happens. Perhaps one reason the world is not a better place is that we have not been praying for it as we should. James writes, “…The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.” (James 5:16)
In this day of mass media a great many people have the opportunity to hear about Christ. But, merely hearing the gospel is not enough. If it were, nearly the whole world would be saved. It is also necessary to glorify (NIV, honor) the message. What does it mean to honor the gospel? It means to believe and accept it. Scripture says, “But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.” (James 1:22)
Is it possible for the gospel to spread rapidly? Will there ever be time when people in large numbers honor the Christ’s word? Yes, it can happen. The people at Thessalonica to whom Paul was writing are an example of what can happen. The gospel is powerful and can change lives. It is up to us to give people the opportunity to hear it and to pray that they will accept it.
Paul also asks for prayer that he will be delivered from “unreasonable (NIV, wicked) and evil men.” Why are they wicked and evil? Because they do not have faith. In chapter 2, verse 12, Paul wrote about those who “had pleasure in unrighteousness.” Here we see the result of those who do not believe and who delight in wickedness. They become like the thing they delight in. In other words, those who delight in wickedness become wicked and evil.
Paul, next, contrasts these men with God. They are without faith, but God is faithful. Faithfulness is part of God’s very nature. It does not depend upon circumstance or what anyone else does. In what ways is God faithful? Paul writes that He is faithful to strengthen and protect. In another place Paul writes, “…God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
There is something else worth noticing. Paul asked the people in Thessalonica to pray that he would be delivered from “unreasonable and evil men.” Here he says that God is faithful to protect from the “evil one”. The evil one is the same person as Satan whom Paul had mentioned in chapter 2, verse 9. Here we see that wicked and evil men are, in reality, representatives of the devil. To some of the people who were opposing Him Jesus said, “You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father.” (John 8:44)
In spite of the devil and wicked men, Paul had confidence. But his confidence was not based on his own strength and abilities. Instead, it was in the Lord. And since the people to whom he was writing belonged to the Lord, Paul was also confident that they would continue to do what was right. It is important to note that Paul uses the word ‘command.’ In other words, when Paul expresses confidence in the people to whom he is writing, his expectation is that they will follow his commands. Paul is not merely writing suggestions, but something to be obeyed. Many people say that they belong to Christ, yet do not follow or obey the teachings of the Apostles. Think about it. How can one follow Christ and at the same time disregard the instructions Christ has given through the ones He has sent? The Apostle John writes, “We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6) Obeying the Apostles is not optional. If we reject what they have said, we also reject Christ.
Paul’s prayer is that the hearts of the Christians at Thessalonica will be directed into God’s love. This should not be understood to mean that they were outside of God’s love. The very fact that they had been given the opportunity to hear about and accept the Saviour demonstrates God’s love for them. What Paul means, as he had already written them, is that they would, themselves, develop and progress in the same kind of love that God has. It is not enough to experience God’s love, we need to show His love to others as well.
Paul also prays that their hearts would be directed into Christ’s patience or perseverance. Christ’s followers need to persevere in the face of hardship and persecution, just as He did. There is more to perseverance, however, than enduring hardship. The followers of Christ must also persevere in doing what is right.