Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-7
God wants us to know that He chose us long before we ever chose Him. We’ve all heard, over and over again, that God loves us. We know it in our head, but often our heart doubts His love. But we see in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 that He really did choose us first. He chose us, even when we were still dead in our sin. He has chosen the entire human race and now He is waiting for each human to choose Him back. We, as His children, must continually share the Gospel (Good News) with everyone we meet so that each have the choice of choosing God as we have done. The words we share must also be evident in the way we live. Note in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 how God led Paul to declare to the believers in Thessalonica that he, Silvanus, and Timothy did not just share the Good News, but they lived it too. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were such good examples that the new believers in Thessalonica began imitating them and our Lord, through their words and actions. The new believers in Thessalonica were facing major persecution for their faith in Christ, but the persecution did not stop them from walking with our Lord. These believers in Thessalonica walked in the joy and power of God’s Holy Spirit in them. Those believers lived their lives for Christ so well that they became examples to other believers as well. God wants us to live our lives for Him so well that we also are worthy examples to follow.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about how you are to live your life for Him?
2. Who will you share the Gospel with this week?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!