Living as a Thessalonian

So, I’m on Day Three in Thessaloniki, Greece.  I have come to the conclusion that, while I’m here, I am a Thessalonian. I read through both of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians in the Bible, and have made some notes on the way that he calls the people to live, in order to be pushed further toward Christ.

1 Thessalonians:

-their work is produced by faith

-their labor is prompted by love

-their endurance is inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ

-they are chosen by God

-the Gospel came to them with the power of the Holy Spirit

-they became imitators of the Lord and welcomed Paul, Silas, and Timothy with joy

-they became a model for all believers in Macedonia and Achaia

-their faith in God was known everywhere

-they had become so dear to Paul, Silas, and Timothy that they were delighted to share their lives with the Thessalonian people

-when Paul had to remain in Athens, he sent Timothy to them in order to strengthen and encourage their faith

-Paul prayed that God would make their love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as his did for them

-they loved all the brothers throughout Macedonia, yet were urged to do so more and more

Paul commanded them to:

            -warn those who are idle

            -encourage the timid

            -help the weak

            -be patient with everyone

            -never pay back wrong for wrong

            -try to be kind to each other and to everyone else

            -be joyful always

            -pray continually

            -give thanks in all circumstances

            -do not put out the Spirit’s fire

            -hold onto the good

            -avoid every kind of evil

           

2 Thessalonians:

-their faith was growing more and more

-their love for each other was increasing

-they were enduring persecutions and trials but still had faith

-God is just: He will pay back trouble for those who trouble you, and give relief to you who are troubled

-Paul commands them to stand firm and hold to the teachings he gave them and to never tire of doing what is right

In the same way, God is calling us to those higher standards! We, as believers, can be encouraged and strengthened by Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians.

It is so crazy to be here, where Paul walked and visited and preached the Gospel and longed to be. I look out onto the Aegean Sea, and think of him coming here on a ship, with his mind focused on Christ and his heart desiring to make Christ known. I imagine the believers in Thessaloniki receiving the letters of encouragement from Paul, written in his own hand, and reading them aloud in order to strengthen the faith of the group. I imagine a community of believers in the area, filled with power of the Holy Spirit, committed to following Jesus. In the same way, I want to be known as a believer who is passionate about following Christ, and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit! Everyone who has been made new in Christ, has received a “heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 26:36), been made into a “new creation” (2 Cor 5:17), received salvation, become a Christian, whatever term you want to use… anyone who has the Holy Spirit living inside them- we receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on us (Acts 1:8)! The same power that conquered the grave, that brought Jesus to life, lives inside us! My prayer for my brothers and sisters in Christ, today, is just what Paul prayed for the believers living in Thessaloniki: 

2 Thess 3:5 “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.”