1 Thessalonians 2:14-16
For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea…You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews. (1 Thessalonians 2:14).

Few days ago we looked at imitation, how the Thessalonian church imitated Paul and his friends and the benefits that came as a result. Today, we will look at another benefit of collective imitation.

The Bible says, “For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews” (1 Thessalonians 2:14, NIV). In essence, because the people believed the same truth and have the values they were able to imitate the church in Judea.

They saw how those in Jerusalem endured persecution and learnt from them. As a result, “they suffered and endured the persecution from their own people”.  We need this type of corporate strategy to manage persecution. We need examples of believers in other churches, cities and nations so we could stand also. On individual level, we should be examples to others too.

The church in Judea may not have known the impact of their endurance, but God knew. Others saw and heard about them too. It is worth stating that a church with a collective outlook of imitation of what is good will never lack faith, hope and love. It will always be at rest because they have the same focus. Shalom.

Your Turn

• Pray for your church.
• Pray for yourself also and your needs.

Song:  We are heirs of the father. We are jointed with the Son.

Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13.