Paul said the Christians in Thessalonica had a faith that was spoken of in every place. Everywhere he went, people were talking about the faith of the Christians in Thessalonica. Wouldn’t it be something if we had a faith that people talked about in such positive light? What was it that had everyone talking about their faith? There are three qualities that Paul brings out about them that had everyone talking and it gives us a beautiful picture of a life in Jesus.
1. A Changed Life
The Thessalonians were a changed people. Their lives at one time consisted of idol worship. You can imagine growing up in a society and home where this was all you knew. They didn’t know life without their false idols. However, when Paul and others arrived on the scene and began to teach them about the One true and living God and about His Son, Jesus who died for their sins and the wonderful blessings found in the Gospel – these people turned from their idols. Paul says, “For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,” 1 Thessalonians 1:9. They were willing to repent (turn) from idols to serve God. The Christian life is a changed life and involves turning from sin to Jesus. God commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Turning from error is a major stumbling block for many, but the Thessalonians remind us that it can and must be done to be pleasing to the Lord.
2. A Serving Life
Once again, Paul says they turned from idols to do what? Serve the true and living God. The wonderful blessing of being a Christian is the opportunity afforded to serve God and the people of God. Repeatedly, Paul referred to himself as a bondservant of Jesus. He had willingly and lovingly attached himself to Jesus as if shackled to Him and following wherever He was lead and needed. We have been created in Christ Jesus for good works based in the grace of God that provides us with salvation in the blood of Jesus (Titus 2:11-14). We must always be abounding the in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). We serve what we love and the Thessalonians went from loving and serving idols to loving and serving the true and living God. The Christian life is a life of dedicated service motivated by the love we have for Jesus.
3. A Waiting Life
After speaking of their faith in turning from idols to serve the true and living God, Paul says, “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come,” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The Christian life is a life that is eagerly anticipating (waiting) for the day that Jesus returns. The thought of Jesus coming should be a thought of great comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Is it to you? Are you ready for that day to come?
Peter says this is what we should be looking forward to (2 Peter 3:10-14). Jesus came and offered Himself in our place to allow us to be forgiven of our sins. He came to deliver (rescue) us from the wrath of God. The Christian life is the best life and it is no wonder that people form every place were speaking about the faith of the Christians in Thessalonica. They had turned to serve God and to wait for the return of Jesus. May we be living this beautiful picture of the Christian life today!
-Adam Orr
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