For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 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. (1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5 ESV)
I really like the way that the gospel is portrayed here. I think it is so true of the word of God that it brings power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction. Just think about it in your reading of God's word how it always has the power to both convict and transform us which is often what we desperately need is to be redirected to the truth and have God's word work in us. How we receive it and how we allow him to work in us is often our choice as many times we aren't willing to change and give up personal pleasures, but don't forget the power of his word which is why it is important to always have it on our hearts.
"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." 1 Thessalonians 1:8
ReplyDeleteThe new church would have been pretty incredible to witness. It is all a story of what God can do through our lives, both as individuals and as a corporate body. In this case, it is the latter. Even though the Thessalonian church was not incredibly well developed, God used them as a light in the region. They submitted themselves to God, and He used them beyond what they probably would have imagined. I often find myself forgetting that God can do things in my life that are bigger than just me. I would really love to see God act through my life, but also through Theta Xi as a whole, because God's plans and capabilities are always so much bigger than our own. This verse is my reminder to step out of the way, and let God do incredible things.
Reading this passage really got me thinking about the power of God and his people through Him. Paul praises the Thessalonians for turning away from worshipping idols and their sinful ways, instead becoming a light to all of the people's of Macedonia. It's incredible how God can use people like this to broadcast his glory everywhere. He wants to use every one of us, and all we have to do is follow hHis plan.
ReplyDeleteFor we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 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. 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,(1 Thessalonians 1:4-6, ESV)
ReplyDeleteI think it is amazing that God's decision was made visible in their lives because of God's power and conviction. The change that God created in their lives was visible! I pray that God would change me in that way.