1 Thessalonians 3:5-8 New Believers

For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. [1 Thessalonians 3:5-8 NASB]

Paul was afraid that the new Christians in Thessalonica would fall away from the faith. This was a reasonable concern since Paul was only able to be with them for a short time.

It was Paul's practice to stay in an area long enough for a church, and the faith of the believers, to be established. It troubled him that he was not able to do that with the Thessalonians. He was relieved to find that their faith remained strong.

It is possible that in your life, you will be influential in the life of a new believer. Perhaps you have been instrumental in leading them to the Lord, or perhaps they entered your life shortly after their conversion.

It is always good to follow up with new Christians, to help them get established and grounded in their faith. Paul was concerned about the new believers giving into temptation and leaving the faith. Jesus told the parable of the sower, and said;

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road. “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” [Matthew 13:19-23 NASB]

It's a given that not everyone will be saved. But, perhaps, the Lord can use us to clear some of the weeds away. That is, we can teach them more of the word of God, and give them the tools to overcome temptation, and not give in to the worries of the world.

But, what about those people that you can't follow up with? You have to understand that their salvation is God's responsibility, and not yours. As Paul said;

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. [1 Corinthians 3:6 NASB]

It is God who causes the growth. If you can't follow up with a person, trust God to bring someone along who can fill the gap.

In the case of the Thessalonians, God used what Paul was able to impart in a short time. Paul was not able to follow up, but God finished the work. Paul said to the Philippians;

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. [Philippians 1:6 NASB]

Follow up if you can. But, in any case, trust God to complete what He started.

Father, I thank you that it is You who give the increase. I pray for the new believers that You will establish them and complete the work that you have started in them.