Scripture Reading(s)
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
2:9 You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
2:10 You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers.
2:11 As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children,
2:12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
2:13 We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.
Reflections
The Christian life is characterized by encouraging and uplifting other fellow believers that are among you. Whether its for your church, friends or co-workers, we are all part of one family and it is important that we pray for one another an keep each other accountable in the way we behave.
Being united as a group of fellow believers is both a privilege and responsibility. Having fellowship with other Christians is something that should give us joy and encouragement. Meanwhile we are also to keep a lookout for each other and make sure that we are indeed reflecting Christ in the way that the Bible calls us to live.
This passage paints a picture of what a strong Church looks like.Doing the work of God is a hard task to carry on. Which is why the work of the early church started with a group of people and continued on in that way and is still done so today. The Church is a means in which one should feel welcomed, encouraged and strengthened to continue on in the Christian life. Our walk with God is not meant to be lived in isolation. For those who have not yet involved themselves with a church or core group of believers it is something that this passage says is so important.
Thank God for the work He has been doing in your life and join in with others and in that same celebration. Use the encouragement of other believers to go out and spread that same joy to the world around us.
The church in Thessaloniki was one the was well respected even by non-Christians. They endured hard persecution and still held fast to the faith and loving others. As Paul said about them, their fame spread about the regions even far away from the city for their love and long suffering.
In today’s society we hardly have to put up with much as Christian. No real persecution really stands to threaten us in most countries. Yet, we still need to be an example of Jesus to those around us. Suffering at the hands of others is not the only way to walk out the gospel. We ought to love each other as Christ loved us and take care of our poor and disenfranchised.
We must be people not merely of speech but also of action.
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