The First letter to Thessalonica

The Impact of a Spiritual Life
I Thessalonians 1:1-10

“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thessalonians 1:1)

The word church is translated from the Greek ‘Ecclesia’ or ‘assembly‘. Paul is wri9ting to the assembly winch is in Christ, as distinguished from other assemblies. While we think of church as being an assembly of believers, not every group which is called a church is. His greeting is that they may experience God’s gifts, and his peace.

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” (I Thessalonians 1:2-4)

The church at Thessalonica did not just verbally profess Christ, but they followed up with evidence of living faith by actions based on their faith. They are not simply religious actions, but are like a man who sits on a chair because he believes it will support him. James 2:18-20 describes this kind of faith. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” This gave assurance of their salvation, and resulted in thanksgiving.

The Thessalonians faith was not based just on Paul’s words, but on the power they had seen in his life, and on the working of the Holy Spirit. Because of his physical presence among them and watching him work and live daily, they knew what kind of person he actually was. In Chapter 2, Paul will describe some of their behavior, but here he reminds them of the part it played in their turning to Christ. Until they have seen our lives, people have no reason to believe our words.

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” (I Thessalonians 1:5-7)

Because their faith was solidly based, the people acted on their faith, and this resulted in their being examples to others. Such faith, results in obedience, and in the Holy spirit producing changes in daily lives. The attitude and actions are both changed, and people see God’s power. Any times the testimony goes far beyond the immediate area.

“For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye 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, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (I Thessalonians 1”8-10)

Even people from other cities and Countries were familiar with the change in the Christians in Thessalonica’s lifestyle, leaving idolatry to serve God, and would describe it to Paul and his companions. As a result, people were ready to hear Paul’s message. Such an impact can never result from our own efforts to impress and reach others. I was reminded again of the impact as I listened to a lady describe how different her Christian aunt was from the rest of her family.