The saints in Thessalonica made up a good church. Paul established it on his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9). In his first epistle to these brethren, Paul praises them for being true believers in Jesus.
What made them true believers?
They were busy about the Lord’s work (1 Thessalonians 1:1-8).
- Their “work of faith” is a reference to their laboring for the Lord because they were motivated by faith. They had real faith in the Lord and the gospel.
- Their “labor of love” is a reference to their being motivated by love. They truly loved the Lord and the lost.
- The kind of work this church was involved in was evangelism (1 Thessalonians 1:8). They were busy spreading the gospel, despite being severely persecuted. These saints were “sounding forth” the word of God and being an evangelistic example to other believers in the world.
- Unfortunately, many churches are dying because they have neglected to be busy about the Lord’s marching ordered in Matthew 28:19.
They were truly converted (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
- They turned from idols. They repented of being involved in religious error.
- They also turned to serve the living and true God. They acknowledged Jesus as Lord and submitted to His standard.
- If we are continuing in the same sinful practices we once were involved in before being baptized, then we have not been truly converted.
- Those who are genuinely converted have become “new creatures” (2 Corinthians 5:17). They have been “born again” (John 3:3-5). They have put off the “old self” and put on the “new self” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Have you done this?
They eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
- These brethren were confident that Jesus was going to come back.
- Having this same attitude will impact our attitude towards evangelism. It makes the work of winning the lost urgent!
- It also affects how we live each day (2 Peter 3:11-14). How could we live a life of sin when we genuinely believe that Jesus could return at any moment?
Conclusion:
Are you a true believer?
