1 Thessalonians 1:9- 10
They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. (1 Thessalonians 1:9b, NIV).

Guicciardini writes, “He who imitates what is evil always goes beyond the example that is set; on the contrary, he who imitates what is good always falls short”.  Why? It is because we can never do it like the originator. In our imitation of Christ, we know that we will fall short but at least we know that we have someone that we are following.

As the Thessalonians continue to walk with Christ, Paul commented about how they “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 4:9b, NIV).  The remaining verses of Chapter One provide more evidence of the transformation that took place in this church community.

First, they turned to God from idols. Acts Chapter 17 reveals how they were idolaters, had many gods and believed in Greek philosophy, but when they heard the gospel, many were persuaded and got saved in spite of the opposition from the Jews.

Second, they believed in the message about the resurrection of the saints and awaited the Lord’s second coming from heaven. These are genuine evidence of salvation.

The lesson for us is that we need to show evidence of a changed life too. It is worth repeating that we must believe and hope for Christ’s second coming because that is the guarantee of our resurrection and our salvation from the second death.Think on these things. Shalom.

Your Turn

• Do you have the evidence  and are you allowing His word to  change the way you live?
• What are the things that are hindering you from following God wholeheartedly? Ask God to help you.

Hymn: My faith has found a resting place.

Further Reading: Acts 17:1-14.