Whether we realize it or not, people are watching us. What we do and how we live our lives has an influence on others. Our example can either draw them closer to God or turn them away from Him. In spite of severe suffering and persecution, some of those living in the city of Thessalonica became followers of Christ. Their belief had far-reaching consequences. The Apostle Paul writes in chapter 1, verses 7 through 10 of his first inspired letter, “so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything. For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
One way in which the followers of Christ at Thessalonica became an example is that they declared the “word of the Lord”. Or, as the NIV translations puts it, the “Lord’s message rang out” from them. The followers of Christ are sometimes hesitant or reluctant to share their faith with others. Perhaps they are afraid of ridicule. Perhaps they are afraid of persecution. In many parts of the world, it is dangerous to follow Jesus or to proclaim faith in Him. But this did not deter the people at Thessalonica. They accepted Christ and proclaimed His message in spite of severe suffering. Would that every person who truly follows Christ had their courage and boldness! Because of it, their faith became known, not only where they were living, but everywhere.
It is also important to notice that the people at Thessalonica did not exalt themselves. The message they proclaimed was not about their own goodness or greatness. On the contrary, it was the Lord’s message which rang out from them. When the gospel is preached, it is essential that glory be given to God and not man.
Another way in which these people are an example, is their response to Paul. They welcomed both him and the message which he preached. It is one thing to believe something intellectually. It is a very different matter to act on what we say we believe. These people proved that their faith was genuine by changing the way the they were living. The change was so drastic and dramatic that Paul was left in no doubt by the reports which reached him. The results of their faith were plainly evident to all who knew them.
What was it they did? First of all, they turned from idols. This was not something which merely happened or something which they were forced to do. The word Paul uses indicates a drastic change based on a deliberate choice. This is important. Many have the idea that since they were born into a Christian family they, too, belong to Christ. This is not so. No one becomes a Christian by default. The only people who can claim His name are the ones who deliberately choose to follow Him.
It is not enough to turn away from what is wrong. We must also choose to do what is right. Jesus taught, “The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of the man, passes through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ When he returns, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes, and takes seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)
The people at Thessalonica not only turned away from idols, they turned to God. They not only turned to God, they determined to serve Him. Many people turn to God in order to obtain some blessing or benefit. But God is not a machine which we can manipulate to grant our wishes. We must not come to Him in order to get want we want, but to serve.
It is important not only to serve God, but to know who it is that we are serving. There are many false gods and many false ideas about God. The people at Thessalonica turned to the living God. He is able to act on our behalf. He is not inert or indifferent, but loves and cares for us. God is also true. This not only means that He is genuine, but that there is no falsehood in Him. Since this is so, if someone lies to us in God’s name, we know that his message is not from God.
The people at Thessalonica also recognized that serving God includes accepting what God has said about Jesus Christ. This involves several things. Paul writes that they were waiting for God’s Son from heaven. This concept is a stumbling-block for many. How can Jesus be God’s Son? There are several reasons He is called God’s Son. One of them is that He had no earthly father. He was born of a virgin. Another reason is that Jesus discloses God to us perfectly. Scripture says, “His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance…” (Hebrews 1:3) To wait for Jesus acknowledges that He is coming back to this earth. The fact that He is in heaven means that He is with God and will come from God when He returns.
Another thing which is involved in turning to and serving God is accepting that He raised Jesus from the dead. Because God raised Jesus, we can live in hope, knowing that God will also raise all those who die while serving Him. The followers of Christ at Thessalonica did not have a clear understanding of all this, and Paul addresses their lack of knowledge later in this letter. They are to be commended, however, for believing what they did understand. They did not let their lack of knowledge become an excuse for not believing.
They also accepted the fact that it is Jesus who saves. All of us face God’s judgment for the sins we have committed. It is only those who turn to God and serve Him by accepting Christ who will be spared from God’s wrath. As Scripture says, “There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” (Acts 4:12)
Who, or what, are we trusting in to save us from God’s judgment? Have we turned away from our idols and turned to God like the people at Thessolonica did? Have we put our faith in Jesus as they did?