1 Thessalonians 1
Devotional by Pastor Lawrence

         The apostle Paul first visited the city of Thessalonica on his second missionary journey with his faithful coworker Silas and his young protégé Timothy.  In Acts 17, Luke informs us that Paul and Silas preached in the Jewish synagogue there for three consecutive Sabbaths before some of the Jews became jealous and caused a riot in the streets after a number of devout Greeks began to respond positively to the gospel.  When the situation grew worse, Paul and Silas had to leave the city under the cover of darkness.  Nevertheless, the people of Thessalonica were near and dear to the heart of the apostle after he had heard about their faith and how it continued to flourish in his absence. 

         In this first letter to them, Paul spends very little time discussing doctrine focusing rather on more personal matters encouraging the believers in their new-found faith and teaching them how to live in light of Christ imminent return.  This first chapter is essentially an extended salutation from the apostle Paul and his companions to their dear brothers and sisters in Christ.  Notice how often he gives thanks for them before the Lord remembering in prayer their faith, love and hope in Christ Jesus.  These three marks in their lives gave great assurance to Paul that they were true believers indeed.  He had not only seen their faith in action, he had heard about it from afar in the other cities he had journeyed through in the area of modern day Greece.

         What an encouragement it is for pastors to easily recognize those in their midst who are walking with God, whose faith and love in Christ are so evident that there is no doubt of their salvation.  Additionally, Paul says that they followed him, even imitated him and his companions in their joy in the midst of affliction.  In ordinary times, faith and love can be readily seen, but in times of affliction they may shine even brighter, for that is when the joy of the Lord is on full display, to know that one’s happiness is not based upon mere happenstance.

         Additionally, two other markers are mentioned in this first chapter concerning their faith in Christ.  First, they had turned from their vain idols to serve the living and true God.  Literally, they had thrown their idols into the fire and turned their backs upon the empty ways handed down to them by their fathers in order to seek God’s kingdom.  Then, second, they also were hastening the coming of Christ’ kingdom, waiting and praying for the return of their new Lord and King. 

         Clearly, their faith in Christ meant something to them.  It turned their lives upside down.  Not only did Paul see it, but so too did all those living in the surrounding regions.  It is this testimony that led Paul to give thanks continually to God that his visit to them was not in vain but had accomplished much more than he could have thought or even imagined.