Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians arrived at some point after the visit we read about in Acts 17. Paul does a lot of encouraging and reminiscing as he opens this letter. He wants them to have God’s grace and peace. That’s a beautiful, prayerful blessing to cover his friends there.
While Paul’s words would have brought comfort and encouragement to his initial audience, we can glean reinforcement for our own faith. We can identify with the struggles of the early believers still today. Did a particular verse strike a chord with you and what you are walking through these days?
Hearing Paul honor this community must have been reassuring. It is always good to be reminded of God’s love and that God has “chosen you to be his own people.” It sounds like these people had endured hardship for having made the decision to follow Christ. And yet, their integrity rose to the occasion, and the Thessalonians were an example for others in the area. Their faith had not crumbled at the first sign of opposition.
Isn’t that the kind of faith we want to exhibit in our lives? Don’t we want others to look at us and see the love of Jesus working through us? Don’t we want to be unshakable and not fall for the lies of the world that would say our God is not important? Oh, to be an example of faithfulness in the face of adversity and strife!
Verse 2:4 spoke to me. “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” There is a lot to unpack in this verse. We are messengers with the best news of all. We should only focus on pleasing God, not worrying about what people will think. It’s not for us to pass judgment on others; that’s God’s job “alone.”
As faithful followers, our purpose is to share the gospel and not keep Jesus’ love and salvation to ourselves. God loved the whole world, and we need to remember that. Jesus died for everyone, but not everyone knows or appreciates that sacrifice. Do you ever find yourself taking God for granted as I do? Our mouths need to be open.
“For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory.” That’s a bit of a “mic drop” statement, isn’t it? What are some ways you can respond to such an invitation? We can start by being a faithful example to those around us by sharing the Good News and how it has changed our lives.
Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, I do seek to be a faithful example to those I encounter in this world. It doesn’t matter that my message may not always be popular or received warmly by the world. I want to please you. You call us to live our lives as living sacrifices, devoted to you and your purposes. I want all I do and say to be pleasing to you. Use my words to help others find you or rediscover the joy of your great mercy and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
