Motivation of Grace by Election

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5    
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

Paul begins writing to the church at Thessaloniki by including those with him in the greeting.  He pronounces peace from God and the grace in which they stand, from the Father and the Son.  He then shows his exceeding thankfulness in prayer for their growth and walk in Christ.  Paul points out how trust in Christ drives their efforts, how that effort is driven by the love of God poured into their hearts and to others, and how their solid hope in Christ and His promises (leading to certain resurrection and life) dive their patience and endurance.  All this is due to their calling, their election by God, for only His choosing and calling out can work these things in and through them; their own effort apart from Christ cannot.  This gospel of God’s powerful working is attested to by His Spirit living in them, giving eternal assurance as demonstrated by Paul and the others among them also.  This doctrine of God’s grace is the basis of certain peace with God and the work of the gospel.  This should motivate us as well.