Thus far in our study of 1st Thessalonians 1 we discovered this: for a genuine experience of Salvation to take place God must be involved and the message and messenger must be anointed and empowered. Now, let’s consider the response of the believers described in this chapter.
Verse 6 says they “welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” It’s clear in verse 9 that they didn’t just add something to their lives. They turned away from the idols they had been devoted to. The welcoming of God’s message involved replacing what was there before with what was being welcomed. That’s repentance. Repentance involves turning away from one thing and turning toward another: a change of mind and heart.
Whatever takes the place of God in a life is an idol. God will not share His glory with another. Once He and His message are welcomed He is to be served as the living and true God. Paul elaborates in verse 3: “We continually 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.”
Paul often put faith, love and hope together. Notice that work is produced by a faith relationship. Labor is prompted by a love relationship. Endurance is inspired by a relationship that has as its ultimate hope the return of Christ from heaven. As they waited for that ultimate fulfillment they were diligent in sharing the life they experienced through Christ.
Does this describe your Christian experience? Take a Reality Check!
