Affliction

Surely, then, it did not need that the Apostle should see into the counsels of the Book of Life, to know if they had been the objects of God's election. In their lives he saw that which was as plain as day to him. "Our gospel," he says, "came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." And they became followers of Paul and of the Lord, "having received the word in much affliction." How could the enemy permit such a bright testimony in his domain without persecuting and afflicting those who bore it?
What can you do? What can he do with those who, if they are beaten before the council, depart, rejoicing that they are counted worthy to suffer shame for His name? (Acts 5:41.) What can be done to those who, if imprisoned with their feet made fast in the stocks, fill the prison courts with praises sung to God? (Acts 16:25.) When put in prison and in chains, they could lift up a triumphant head and desire that their captors might have what they had, the joy which filled their hearts, and the helmet of salvation which covered their heads, except the bonds (Acts 26:29). What can you do to people who, if the enemy kills them, go to heaven praying for their enemies, unmindful of the stones which killed them? (Acts 7:60.)
Such, in its truest sense, is Christianity. God filled the hearts of these beloved ones "with joy of the Holy Ghost," when the enemy cast them into the fire of affliction. God was seen in these beloved people, and His Word had produced in them what the world had to bear testimony to—a power that was above its malice, and do what it would, it could not take this away.
The Thessalonians
Paul had no need to speak of his loved children in the faith. The world took knowledge of them in spite of itself, and their faith to God was spread abroad. How wonderful it is when the enemy is forced to bear testimony to such a state of the children of God, instead of having to point at them with the finger of scorn, when they are not in the practice of what they profess to be in their faith. In some weak measure we can enter into the deep anxiety of Paul's heart when he would know how they were enduring these afflictions. Also we share the joy he had when he had learned how they had endured, and how they had held him in the affectionate remembrance of their hearts. "Now," says he, "we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord." (Chapter 3:8.)
May the Lord give His beloved people to know, in their inmost heart, that He has never changed, and that they may count on Him with all the confidence of these first children in the faith. May He energize their hearts to more earnest devotedness in view of His still nearer coming, and a more true-hearted following of Him. And may they be "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."