1 Thessalonians 1 (Listen)
1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Devotional:
…and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit. As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (I Thessalonians 1:6-7)
Doing what’s right isn’t always easy, and following Christ can be hard. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean that life will suddenly go our way…at least that seemed to be the case with the new Christians in Thessalonica as it says they experienced much affliction. It wasn’t easy for them to become Christ followers, but they had the joy of the Holy Spirit to carry them through, which in turn, inspired others. Life isn’t always easy. When life gets you down, ask the Holy Spirit for joy. It won’t just be good for you it will be an example and inspiration to others as well.
Pray It: Father, thank you for the examples of Christians who have and are living joyfully and faithfully for you in the midst of persecution and affliction. Help me to live faithfully and joyfully for you in all circumstances and to inspire those around me to follow you as well. Amen.
Share It: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.