Three Great Treasures that Every Believer Possesses – 1 Thessalonians 1:1

In Paul’s greeting to the Thessalonian church, we can uncover three precious treasures that all believers possess.

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Believers have intimacy with God. Paul uses the word “in” to refer to the church’s union, communion, and relationship with God. The church- which refers to the gathering of worshippers who have pledged their lives to Jesus Christ- is in God the Father. God as Father is not a metaphor, but it is real. How do you view God? Distant? Scary? Unapproachable? If so, you do not truly know God. Jesus showed God to us as a loving, protective, sacrificial, and trustworthy Father.

The church is also in the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers are in salvation because they are in Christ. He is the Lord, in whom all things hold together. He is the Savior, who transforms us when we are converted. He is the Christ, the Messiah who fulfilled God’s promise of salvation.

Grace to you and peace.

Believers have grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. All of us are sinners who deserve the greatest curse- God’s wrath in hell. But by God’s grace, we are given the greatest gift- salvation through Jesus Christ. Christians must be filled with grace. If we are filled with grace, we would aim to glorify God because of His amazing grace. We would be continually sanctified and would labor heartily for the Lord, whose grace strengthens us to change as we become more gentle and kind. Lastly, grace would cause us to be testimonial, as we seek God in all circumstances.

Believers have peace. We live in a terribly tumultuous world but Christians can have the peace of God in any situation since they have peace with God. Everyone desires to have inner peace, but it can not be attained by man because of his sin. We need Jesus to reconcile us to God.

Christians may experience a lack of peace when they lack conviction of their forgiveness. Guilt is the thief of peace, so Christians must seek to know their sins are forgiven. Believers may also lack peace when they do not totally surrender to Jesus. We must let the Lord rule in our hearts, rather than ourselves. Lastly, Christians lack peace when they lack trust in prayer. Do not take prayer lightly. Prayer is communion with God, which brings peace beyond all circumstances and understanding.

Let us begin this study in Thessalonians by pondering on these three priceless treasures that have been given to us- intimacy with God and His wonderful grace and peace.