Marks of Salvation (1 Thessalonians 1:1-5)

There is a unique kind of discontent, agony even, about one's assurance of salvation. I've sat with individuals as they've poured over every inch of their lives, separating the wheat and the chaff of their existence, trying to discern whether they were saved. Some people are overconfident of their standing with God when they really should be taking an honest inventory of their hearts. The other painful conundrum is trying to figure out if others are saved, especially those close to us.

I wish it were as easy as it seems in Paul's letter to the Romans: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16). However, the Bible speaks confidently of signs and markers of salvation. Being brought into union with God through faith in Jesus manifests itself in real changes that are noticeable and visible.

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace. We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work produced by faith, your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full assurance.

In the lives of the Thessalonian Christians, Paul witnessed the trinity of Christian virtues: faith, love, and hope.¹ These three characteristics, or marks of Jesus' people, are found throughout the New Testament. Their presence in the Thessalonian church gave Paul confidence and joy over their salvation.

First, faith. True faith is visible in the good works it produces: acts of devotion and service to God and others that show one has turned from a former life of self-rule to one dedicated and dependent on God.

Second, love. Coming into union with Jesus through faith means coming into contact with God's love. Filled with that love, it inevitably flows out toward others. This love is a force of action leading to serving others.

Third, hope. This is not a wishy-washy hope but a confident one, because it is based on what God can do and has promised to do. Hope rooted in faith and love naturally leads to endurance in affliction. While there will still be moments of doubt and confusion, true Christian hope is unquenchable.

It is important not to fall into the trap of zeroing in on behaviour. When looking for assurance, we are not adding up good deeds and subtracting sins. We look deeper. Faith, love, and hope are marks of character that Jesus' people will grow in. When we see these things we can, like Paul, confidently proclaim God's saving activity is present.

What's truly encouraging is that this is all God's work in the hearts of His people. God has chosen them and is now at work making them more Christlike. What God has started He will accomplish. We aren't to live anxiously about God's love for us. Rather, we can take note of what He is doing in our lives and rejoice at the evidence of His saving and transforming work within us.