Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3.
Paul is writing a letter of thanks and encouragement to the church at Thessalonica. It is a church made up of gentile converts to faith in Christ that was founded as a result of Paul’s first visit to the city. In this opening, Paul is greeting the people and giving thanks for their response to the message of the Gospel that he brought to them. He writes to offer encouragement to them as they live out their life in faith.
Thessalonica was one of the major cities of the Roman Empire. Today, it is still a major city in Greece. Paul was enthusiastic about the response of the people to the Gospel message in this major metropolis with all of its competing interests. He lifts up their example of “work that comes from faith, (their) effort that comes from love, and (their) perseverance that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father” (1:3, CEB). In other words, the church at Thessalonica was an example of what living in faith and love following in the teachings of Christ could mean for a community. It is an example for us today.
Personal Worship Option:
Consider what it might mean for us to live fully into the faith, hope, and love that comes through dependence upon Jesus? What impact could we have upon our community? Pray: Gracious God, help us to live fully into your love and grace. Strengthen our faith so that we may be the people you created us to be. Amen.
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