1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (NRSV)
Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
Reflection
When people listen and believe in the grace of faith, hope, and love of Jesus life, teachings, healing, suffering, death and resurrection for the sins of all the world; faith builds in joy and hope and love... and action takes place. When you see imitators of Jesus you can see that they got it.
The Word made flesh has invaded their lives and new lives are formed into actions of the hands, feet, mind, and spirit. A turn to God is made and the old idols of worship of the past are left behind. We look forward to the time that Jesus will come again. What a thanksgiving that will be! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, as we not only hear your Word, may the Spirit fill us with the joy, hope and faith to put that Word to work in this world to love our neighbors as well. --- Amen
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