1 Thessalonians 1

Another chapter down! Now, we move to 1+2 Thessalonians, which talk about being faithful to God in tough times, sexual sin, and the second coming of Christ. http://www.esvbible.org/1+Thessalonians+1/

Paul, Silas, and Timothy all greet the Church at Thessalonica. All three of them appear to have equal shares in writing this letter.

Paul says that he always remembers the Thessalonians in his prayers and thanks God for them because they have active faith, hard working love, and confidence in Jesus. Paul says that he never forgets them because God has chosen them to do great things. This is true of all people who accept Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. God has chosen you to do great things with a specific plan that you must choose to fulfill. The way Paul knows that the Church at Thessalonica is chosen for great things can be used as a test for if we all are on the right track for beginning to reveal our plans from God (if we have not already begun). First off, when you believed for the first time, the Holy Spirit filled you, so if you truly believe, the Holy Spirit will guide you in showing off God's fingerprints on you. Paul commends the Thessalonians for welcoming God's word in spite of suffering. The Thessalonians who converted became outcasts, and despite that, they still went strong in their faith to Jesus. Not only that, but they welcomed the Word with joy from the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Spirit, the Thessalonians became models for Macedonia and Greece. Additionally, God used this church to spread the Good News not only around Macedonia and Greece, but also around the world. Paul still hears stories where he is about how the Church at Thessalonica accepted him and Jesus so eagerly. The church also turned away from their idols and worship only the one true God. We should live our lives in the same way. We should model the Christian life for others. In that way, God can use us to spread the church even when we are unaware of it, just because of our active faith and Christlike attitudes.