Articles
Becoming A Christian -1 Thessalonians 1
Becoming A Christian -1 Thessalonians 1
We are today beginning our reading of 1 Thessalonians. We will read one chapter per day, Monday thru Friday: chapter 1 today, chapters 2 - 5 beginning Monday.
Becoming A Christian - 1 Thess. 1
The record of Paul's arrival in Thessalonica is found in Acts 17. For three weeks he "reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ" (17:2-3). The result of such preaching was that some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas. It is interesting that Luke adds that "a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women" also did so. Thus the church began in Thessalonica.
As Paul discusses this in this letter to them, he states that in this reception of the gospel they 1) turned to God from idols, 2) to serve a living and true God, and 3) to wait for His Son from heaven (1:9-10). Earlier he described this as their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 3). We see an oft-combined trio: faith, love, and hope. Such are combined with another trio of words: work, labor, and steadfastness.
- The work of faith was their turning to God from idols.
- Their labor of love was their serving the living and true God.
- Their steadfastness of hope is found in their waiting for Jesus to return.
So it is today for people. It might take three weeks of reasoning before they get it. Once they do, they will gladly forsake all their idols. Becoming a child of God they gladly begin serving Him by serving others. This is not a 'once-in-a-while' service, but one that is steadfast. Their hope of being gathered with the Lord will sustain them through the dark days of tribulation.
Does this describe your conversion? Does this describe your life as a follower of Jesus? It should.
Hugh DeLong
