1 Thessalonians: Now and Later Life

Now or later. This dilemma pops up all the time. For anyone seeking God or happiness in the afterlife, the answer seems like a no-brainer: later gratification at the expense of now.

But 1 Thessalonians teaches that these two words are supposed to be held in tension and not forced to compete. In this short letter to a young church, the Apostle Paul celebrates and instructs new believers on how to live in the present while simultaneously pointing to a future that promises joy and restoration. This "now and not yet" teaching permeates the entire New Testament. Find hope, joy, and purpose for life both now and later as we savor the various flavors of truth in this New Testament book.