A LIVING REPUTATION OF FAITH

BIBLE PASSAGE:
And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
(1 Thessalonians 1:7)

MEDITATION:
Most of us have heard of the ‘mark of the beast’ which will be present
during the time of tribulation for those who have not been raptured by Jesus.
But, did you know there is a ‘mark of Christians’ that should
be present in our world (and our life), before the rapture and tribulation?

When we look at Paul’s letter to the Christians in Thessalonica,
we discover that they were a model for all believers.
We should take a few minutes and look
at why Paul called them a ‘model to all the believers’.

Their actions spoke for them, and confirmed their faith in God.
The work they did was proof that their faith was real.
Love and thankfulness was their motivation for serving the Lord.
When compared to the worldly standards, they had an unusual endurance
and perseverance, because they had hope in the promises of Jesus Christ.
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,
your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in
our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)

And what was the result of their words, actions and attitudes?
Others knew that, (1) they were loved by God,
and (2) they were chosen by God for specific areas of service.
For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God,
that he has chosen you, (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

Another evidence of faith we see in the believers in Thessalonica,
was their desire and efforts to become more like the Lord they worshiped.
What was the evidence of their efforts to become more like Jesus?
They welcomed messages from the Lord through others,
and they experienced the joy they were given by the Holy Spirit.
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message
in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
(1 Thessalonians 1:6)

Lastly, we see that their reputation was a testimony of their faith.
There was no need for them to tell others of their faith in God,
because others could see their faith was real by simply observing them.
The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and
Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.
Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, (1 Thessalonians 1:8)

Apparently the Thessalonian believers were not people
of a ‘spoken faith’, but were instead people of a ‘living faith’.
They didn’t serve the Lord to be recognized and applauded;
they served Him out of a faith in Him, a love for Him,
a thankfulness for what He did for them, and a desire to please Him.

They weren’t known as people who rationalized and justified sin
in their lives (to ease their consciences), because they knew
it was sinful to extend the boundaries established by God.
They were known as people who focused on obeying ‘all’ of God’s
commands, and not just selected ones they liked, or found easy to obey.

When they ‘turned to God’ they ‘turned away from their sinful past’.
Instead of being controlled by sinful desires, they were under new
management, which inspired them to ‘serve the living and true God’.
They left behind their ‘pet’ sins, their unholy actions, their unholy language,
and their selfishness in order to press on toward their heavenly crowns.
They tell how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God, (1 Thessalonians 1:9b)

They were able to persevere in their efforts, because they lived a life
in anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ (the One who had rescued
them from the wrath of God, through His sacrifice for their sins).
and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the
dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
(1 Thessalonians 1:10)

ACTION:
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, have you learned from
the ‘model’ established by the believers in the church of Thessalonica?
Remember Thessalonica was a city in Greece, so they had some of the
same challenges we have today, but they made a choice to be different
by loving and serving the Lord.

How do others know that you are loved by God, and that
you have been chosen by Him for specific areas of service?
What does your reputation say about your faith?
Have you turned from the control of your sins
and given the Lord ‘full control’ of your life?

Is there anything in your words, actions, or attitudes
which would cause others to question your faith?
Do you have any words, actions, or attitudes
you would avoid if Jesus was walking beside you?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, forgive me if I have given others any
reasons to doubt my faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to learn
from the model of faith shown by the believers in Thessalonica.
Teach me how to show others that I am loved by You, and that
You have chosen me to serve You. Help me to turn from the sins
of my past and to invite the Holy Spirit to reign in my life.”

blog: UTVOLWOODY.WORDPRESS.COM