An Exemplary Faith

A Living Faith
What is Faith?
Faith Calls for Perseverance

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

The Message

Convictions of Steel

 ^2-5Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. ^5-6You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master. Although great trouble accompanied the Word, you were able to take great joy from the Holy Spirit!—taking the trouble with the joy, the joy with the trouble.
 ^7-10Do you know that all over the provinces of both Macedonia and Achaia believers look up to you? The word has gotten around. Your lives are echoing the Master's Word, not only in the provinces but all over the place. The news of your faith in God is out. We don't even have to say anything anymore—you're the message! People come up and tell us how you received us with open arms, how you deserted the dead idols of your old life so you could embrace and serve God, the true God. They marvel at how expectantly you await the arrival of his Son, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescued us from certain doom.

For Reflection

The Thessalonians were known to Paul by their hospitality.  Their hospitality was a result of their faith.  Through faith they demonstrated the visible gift of community.  Have you ever had the experience of visiting a friend after being away for a long time and realized that the relationship was as if you saw them only yesterday?

I think we tend to underestimate the value of fellowship.  We sometimes tend to fill all time and space that we share with our need for delivering messages.  In doing so, do we crowd out the time for the Holy Spirit ?

The Spirit moves in the fellowship of others.  The message, as Paul points out, is not just words. In fellowship, we are the message.

Pray

for the wisdom to experience the joy of each other.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to work in the fellowship of others; to cement the ties of our FAITH.  Pray that all find joy in the midst of their troubles.