In our study of 1st Thessalonians 1 we found that the first Reality Check we can make regarding our Christian experience is to ask ourselves the following question: Am I walking in the footsteps of Jesus well enough to be a model for others to follow?
Another question would be, are enough leaders in the church modeling Christ-likeness to encourage the rest of the church to get the help they need to walk as Christ walked?
Paul didn’t have to do a reality check of the Thessalonian Christians. Everywhere Paul went people reported what kind of reception they had given Paul and his team. Listen to the report that spread everywhere about these Christians in 1st Thessalonians 1:9-10, “They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” What a testimony these Christians were.
Three points mentioned in these verses are, they turned from idols, they turned to God, and they waited for God’s Son from heaven. This forms a good basis for preparing your own testimony. Take a sheet of paper and on the first third of the page describe what was true of your life before you turned to God. Then write briefly what you did when you turned to God. Be specific enough that someone hearing what you did would know what they need to do if they want to turn to God. On the final third write out what’s taken place since you turned to God. Finally, memorize this and be ready to use it as opportunities come.
I would appreciate it if you would send me a copy of your testimony.
