ORDER MY STEPS IN THY WORD

God’s Order for Quality BelieversThe second point in I Thessalonians 3:6 per-tains to their attitude. “. . . And that ye havegood remembrance of us always. . . .” The word“always” means “continuingly,” not just at onemoment, but continuing. They continued havinggood memories of Paul, Silas, and the rest of thebelievers, holding them in high esteem.Yet be comforted and encouraged to know that Iam speaking in tongues for you, and I am joyfulover the steadfastness of your believing.” Paulwas always blessed when believers were faithful,like these believers in Colosse and those ofThessalonica.I Thessalonians 3:6:But now when Timotheus came from youunto us, and brought us good tidings ofyour faith and charity, and that ye havegood remembrance of us always, desiringgreatly to see us, as we also to see you.When Timothy returned to Paul after visitingthe believers in Thessalonica, he “brought usgood tidings of your faith [believing] and charity[the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation].”That was the spiritual condition of theThessalonians. These were the people aboutwhom Paul had been greatly concerned, wonderingif they, under persecution and ongoing affliction,were standing faithful. And when Timothycame back, he brought glad tidings of theirbelieving and of their walking with the love ofGod in the renewed mind in manifestation. Theirbelieving and love is the first point made in thisverse.260Quickened Together with ChristThe third point in this verse concerns theirmutual affection. “. . . Desiring greatly to see us,as we also to see you.” “Desiring greatly” means“wanting with an intense desire.” This shows thegreat affection of the Thessalonians for Paul.“. . .To see us, [even] as we also to see you.” TheGreek word for “as” means “even as” and indicatestheir mutual affection for each other, theirmutual desire to get together with each other.The combination “you” and “us” is used fourtimes in this verse: Timothy “came from youunto us,” number one; “brought us good tidingsof your faith and charity,” number two; “ye havegood remembrance of us always,” number three;“desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you,”number four. Four times these words occurtogether in the same verse. Such mutual appreciation,love, desire, and respect must be maintainedbetween the leaders and believers if they want thegreatness of God’s Word to really live.261