1 Thessalonians
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
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 from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to 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, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
So powerfully effective that Paul moves from “me” to “we” in the development of an interacting and engaging body. He is penning the letter but includes Silvanus and Timothy as authors in making this connection with the church. This bonding with the body in exhortation is not just an obligation they are fulfilling out of necessity either, but he indicates it is a passionate, continual consideration of their hearts. They are not just assuming that everything is good and going on about their more important business, but recognize that the work that began in these people during much adversity will need continual maintenance through ongoing trials and opposition. Paul reiterates how powerfully they have been elected to share the Word, not just by proclamation but in demonstration and lived-out relationship.
It is necessary for us to receive encouragement and acknowledgment of the great work that has begun in us and its significance over whatever might seem to be challenging in front of us. We’ve been gloriously delivered from a perilous world of darkness to live in the light of God’s glory. The Word has brought revelation to us in that light that has transformed how everything is seen from a defeated perspective to an overcoming one. We’ve received not only release from the clutches of the past but also assurance of deliverance from any wrath yet to be unleashed. Through it all, there is a place of joy for us in the continual sharing of life from the Word in resurrection revelation.
Some words and phrases stirred in reading: Thess 1:5: “…for our good news (regarding salvation) came to you not only in Wword but also in (its inherent) POWER and in the Holy Spirit…” there was power released, power displayed, things happened, transformation made. And again in Thess 1:6 you welcomed our message in a time of great trouble WITH JOY SUPPLIED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. It was power and joy supplied by the Spirit even in what could be a worldly time of trouble that enabled them to become examples to the communities around them. I’m praying to walk in that personally, as a family and as a church body/family today- power and joy in order to be the message, evidence of His glory.