READ: Jeremiah 21,22; Psalms 106; 1 Thessalonians 1
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 1:
9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell 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—Jesus, who
rescues us from the coming wrath.
OBSERVATION: During Sunday
worships, Christian gatherings, and gospel meetings, we see people share their
testimony of how Jesus changed their life. A changed and transformed man is
always a powerful testimony for Christ, especially when people see such changes
and give testimony about how a person’s life is changed after becoming a Christian.
Here, Paul writes to encourage the new Christians in the Thessalonian Church about
the testimony that he heard from the people of Macedonia and Achaia. Paul mentions three
things about the Thessalonian believers: 1) They turned from idols, 2) they
turned to serve the living and true God, 3) they are waiting for the second
coming of Jesus. These three things are basics in the Christian faith; they are
marks of true repentance and genuine signs of the followers of Christ.
The Thessalonian believers repented
to God; it caused them to abandon their idol worship. When their eyes are
opened to see the living and true God, they must have realized the emptiness of
worshipping idols and turned from them. (Re)Turning to Christ brings significant
changes in a person’s life. It is important to note that this change starts
from a person’s heart, the center of his/her life. Turning to God and turning
from idols are related to each other. Jesus says, “No one can serve two masters”
(Mt.6:24). We cannot serve the living God when we are in idol worship. Anything
that turns our attention away from God is an idol. It can be our modern worldview,
philosophies, materialism, and so on. Let
us keep ourselves from all forms of idol worship. The third mark of the Thessalonian
believers is their expectation and waiting for Christ’s second coming. They
were in the midst of severe suffering, but they were firm in believing in
Christ and eagerly waiting for his return. Interestingly, every chapter of Paul’s
first epistle to the Thessalonian church ends with a reference to the second
coming of Jesus Christ. Do we have such an expectation of Christ’s return every
day?
APPLICATION: Jesus has promised that he will come again. As
I am waiting for his speedy return, I have to live a holy and godly life. I
should live in a way that people can recognize my faith in God and my expectation
of Christ’s second coming.
PRAYER: Father God, thank
you for reminding me of the three marks of a godly Christian life. Holy Spirit,
help me to wait for Christ’s return and live accordingly. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
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