GOSPEL POWER

1 Thessalonians 1:2-6

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 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. For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 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 1:2-6 NIV

In a world that falls for facades and seems to give more credit for intentions than actions, don't you find it refreshing that Paul expects that faith, hope, and love will naturally produce certain actions? The people in Thessalonica had difficult things happening in their lives. Since they had become Christians, conversan

some of them may have lost their friends and even lost their jobs, and yet, Paul says they had joy.

Isn't that amazing to be able to have joy in these hard circumstances? Paul begins with faith, love and hope, observing that each of these virtues has results in a person's behavior.

To have joy means to know you are God's precious child. As God's child you know and believe with absolute certainty that the Lord Jesus Christ is your Savior. You know that God is always caring for you. Then, if you are feeling scared, you can have joy in knowing God will be with you. If you are sad, you can still have joy knowing God is working in your life and keeping you close to Him.

Paul assures the readers that they did not make a mistake in accepting the message. Paul notes how the people responded: “You know how we lived among you for your sake. 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." Paul does not say what he did, other than living "for your sake." He does not say what aspect of Jesus' life they imi-tated, but his comment does imply that he told people something about the way Jesus lived.

Paul's practical advice to the Thessalonians and to us today is that faith and work are not mutually exclusive. We have been transformed by our belief in Christ, but that does not mean regular life has come to an end. We are still responsible to be faithful in our vocations. For the Thessalonians to continue to grow into their stellar reputation, work needs to be an element right along with faith, hope, and love, and it's the same for us as well. This Word of God gives us joy when the Holy Spirit uses it to work in our hearts.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of God's Word and helps us to believe that Jesus died for us. He reminds us we are God's children. May we follow in the footsteps of the Christians of Thessalonica whose good works were energized by faith, whose service was motivated by love, and who maintained an unwavering hope in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. So read the Bible every day. Think about what you are reading and ask the Lord to work with the Holy Spirit in you, so you can receive this joy!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for the reminder we gain from the lives of the Thessalonian Christians whose work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope is an example to us all of godly living that honors You. Lord, open the windows of heaven and shine down Your abundant blessings upon my friend and family today. Lord, we pray that we may grow in grace and in a knowledge of You our Savior and do all for Your greater praise and glory. Lord may our work of faith be actively dependent on You. Lord may our labor of love become a living sacrifice that honors You in thought, word, and deed. Lord use my friend to be a blessing to those in need of it today.

Father, we love You. Amen.