The undeniable importance and demand of visible examples today are always felt in all areas of life. Whether in secular or spiritual realm, everybody is need of an example to behold and to follow. Good examples are guides to lead others that they may not lose their way to a better life and education. People who are living as good examples are really blessings from above. They are considered as living lessons to others as they demonstrate the right way of living.
In I Thessalonians 1:6-7, it is written, And ye become followers of us, and of the Lord, having receive the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost. So that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. Apostle Paul commended the Thessalonians for their faith in Christ. Obviously, their changed lives were a wonderful result of their genuine salvation through faith in the Lord. They saw the right example, heard and believed the right message, received the right servants and came to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Truly, following God and godly men moulds us to become living examples to others. Paul once said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”
As we study and go through the first chapter of Paul’s Epistle to the Thessalonians, we will come to know why they were commended by Paul and became examples to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The many lessons we will get from their well-spoken testimony will surely stir our hearts and minds to become more particular concerning our real purpose of life. Considering the Thessalonians’ commendable growth as our inspirational challenge today will motivate us to set more spiritual goals for the glory of God. Be reminded that the Christian world today is in need of spiritual believers as examples. What a joy to see lost souls finding their way to the Lord as they are enlightened and guided through believers’ godly example.
(I) They Followed God And Godly Men
I Thessalonians 1:1-6
We must be very careful and watchful in following impressive people these days. There is nothing wrong in following a man who follows the Lord consistently, but following men who follow their own selfish desire is always risky and full of uncertainties. The Thessalonians believed and followed Paul and were led to the Good Shepherd which is the Lord Jesus Christ. Following God and godly men strengthens our spiritual life. Certainly, no believer would become a good example without following God and godly men.
(II) Their Notable Faith
I Thessalonians 1:7-8
The prominent faith of the Thessalonians was imprinted on Apostle Paul’s heart and mind. It was hard for Paul to forget the kind of faith they had. It stayed and became part of his thought life. Paul said, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” In I Thessalonians 1:8, it is written, For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
A silent man in his living faith is far better than a noisy man in his dead and questionable faith. The presence of danger is on our side every time we over advertise our faith with more words than visible fruits. On the part of the Thessalonians, the fruits of their faith spoke louder than their words.
(III) Their Changed Lives
I Thessalonians 1:9
What a dramatic change of life the Thessalonians had. The great contrast is seen in I Thessalonians 1:9. The sanctifying effect of the Gospel was wonderfully exhibited through their lives. Apostle Paul wrote, For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living God; It’s a truth that no man can serve the Lord wholeheartedly without turning from his idols to serve the Living God. Serving a false and dead god brings no good thing to any man. It only deepens his ignorance and wickedness. A changed life of a believer is an amazing result of a genuine salvation. It’s a wonderful miracle of God. On the part of a believer, it’s a gradual and progressive change of life as he set his affection on things above and as he consistently seeks the righteousness of God. Paul once said, “But we all, with open face beholding as in glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” II Corinthians 3:18.
We should also understand that fear of God contribute a powerful role in maintaining and guarding our changed and new life in Christ. A man with a changed life has a powerful impact every time he witnesses for Christ. The believers in Thessalonica had a discriminating advantage during the Apostle time because of their unquestionable new life in Christ.
(IV) Their Enduring Hope
I Thessalonians 1:10
One of the striking distinction of the Thessalonians was their patience of hope. Their living and enduring hope was very notable especially in times of persecutions and tribulations. Their soaring faith in the Lord Jesus and their abounding love toward their fellow believers helped them tremendously in attaining a well-spoken hope. Their awareness of the coming of the Lord led them to a new height of spiritual experience which gave a great comfort to them during their darkest nights.
As wickedness abounds in this present world, may we not forget the real purpose of our existence. We are the lights of the world. As darkness overwhelms the world, may we share our lights to others so we could lead them patiently to the True Light, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are now in critical days and the world is in need of true believers with good testimonies for Christ. We must be praying earnestly to God so we could do our God-given duty as lights and good examples to be followed.
