- And you became imitators of us and of the Lord…1 Thessalonians 1:6a – Would this statement be a contradiction if this was said by you? Meaning here Paul is sharing that the people he is writing to were imitating Jesus’ life and imitating his life and those two worked together. Them imitating Jesus and them imitating Paul didn’t lead them in two different directions because Paul’s life was following Jesus too. So for you, if this was asked of your life and you were to have someone imitate your life, would them imitating you and Jesus work together or contradict each other? We have to realize that in whatever setting we are in in life people are looking up to us and if we profess to be a Christian they are examining our life to see what a Christian life is like. Let’s make sure our life is imitating Jesus’ life so if someone chose to imitate us, they too would be imitating the life of Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac
- And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 – There is only one way that they could be imitators of those speaking here and also imitating the Lord in the way they live their life. That only way is if the ones writing, who set the example for them, were first imitating Christ themselves with their life. We need to live such a life that if someone were to fully imitate us they would be imitating the life of Christ. I know, that’s a huge undertaking and may highlight a few areas that need changing. But that’s the point of this journey isn’t it? To day by day grow more into imitating the way our Savior lived so others can get a glimpse of who He is. So ask yourself what areas of your life if someone were to imitate them wouldn’t help them be living more like Jesus? Begin seeing how you yourself can live more like Jesus in those areas so when people see those parts of your story it only helps them draw that much closer to Jesus. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1268
- We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 – Paul is writing a letter to a church that he planted in Thessalonica after hearing of some of the concerns they are having. One unique thing that I missed in my first read through, but noticed after a commentary pointed it out, was that Paul’s three virtues that we find at the end of 1 Corinthians 13 are found here within this church. Faith, Hope, and Love. This church had a faith that was spurring them to good works for the Lord. This church had a love that was willing to labor after the harvest and one another. Finally, this church had a hope in the Lord that was steadfast even through the afflictions they were facing. Their faith, hope, and love were evident and was having an impact on those around them. Let’s be a church today that such things are evident within us as well. That when our city and families think on us, they remember the works we did that were spurred on by our faith in Jesus and how deeply we showed loved to one another and them. Let us be a church that our hope in the Lord is clearly seen by others through how we handle the hardships that come our way. Having faith, hope, and love active and displayed within this church not only had an impact on the neighboring lands that didn’t know the gospel, but it also was an encouragement to those in the faith like Paul. Let’s say yes then to the work our faith in God leads us to, let’s say yes to the opportunities to show love, and let’s say yes to placing our hope in Christ even when the season seems hopeless. Such a “yes” will have a greater impact than you may ever know. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2772
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