That no man should be moved

1 Thessalonians 3:3

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

Paul writes here to a group of Christians that were not unfamiliar with afflictions. They were well acquainted with persecutions inflicted by the world. They knew what it meant to endure hardship for the gospel of Christ. And Paul himself was certainly no stranger to it. At Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, and at a multitude of other places, he continued to endure much for the cause of Christ. He was persecuted continuously on all sides. He was beaten, stoned, left for dead, starved, given many stripes, and received many other terrible punishments for preaching the gospel of Christ. But here, he tells the believers that they should not be moved by these afflictions.

No man should be moved! These afflictions should be expected. After all, we are told that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. It is inevitable. It is unavoidable. Yea, it should not be avoided, but only considered to be part and parcel of our Christian experience. For if the world hated Christ, it shall hate us also. The servant is not greater than his lord. If they kept Christ’s saying, they will keep ours also. But we should expect that they will hate us. It is a promise, a guarantee, that if we are godly Christians, we will be at odds with the world. Paul says, “Do not be moved!”

Now, life can often be full of various afflictions, some for Christ’s gospel, and others of general occurrence. We will all be subject to such things, but we must never be moved! We must stand fast in the Lord! If we can be partaker of Christ’s sufferings, we should be glad with exceeding joy! And if we can know the fellowship of His sufferings, it should be counted as a tremendous privilege and honor. But dear friends, whatever the afflictions may be, do not be moved. Keep your eyes on the One who endured it before us—the Author and Finisher of our faith. He it is that endured the cross, despising the shame, because of the joy that was set before Him. There is a great joy awaiting. Do not be moved from this hope, but rejoice, inasmuch as you partake of His sufferings. One day, all suffering and afflictions will be vanished. May the Lord help us not to be moved!

“Dear Lord, we know that we will all experience afflictions and troubles in this life, but we pray that none of these things would move us. We pray that our minds would remain transfixed on our Savior, who went before us in His sufferings. Thank you for that example. Keep us steadfast this day, we pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”