In the first verses of 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul commends the saints for their example of service. We want to look at the power of that example and set it forward as a recommended pattern of life, today. He writes, “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 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. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
We have a broader description already expounded in a previous blog regarding their “work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope.” A lot of specific actions would fall under these three headings, but it speaks to their confidence in God, their motivation that drives them on, and their expectation of victory in the face of severe trials. Of course, Paul explains that their experiences of power in the Holy Spirit’s work among them provided unshakeable confidence and conviction. This power was miraculous power that not only confirmed the trustworthiness of their message to their listeners but gave them the assurance they needed of God’s approval and aid. This accords with the promise of the Holy Spirit in the last days of the Jewish age promised by Joel that is unlike any previous age or age to come. To claim such power, today is to weaken the great power of the Holy Spirit in that age because if what is seen today is any reflection of the power seen then, we should embrace atheism and forget it all. The lack of miraculous powers today is not a reflection of today’s faith, it’s a reflection of God’s promise and plan. It was not promised to us and, therefore, explains the lack of miraculous wonders that parallel that time. To claim that power is not only admitting a cheap imitation of genuine power, but it is also admitting ignorance concerning the manifold wisdom of God and His purpose for the kingdom on His Son in the new age.
The description of this entire passage is set in the context of affliction and that they had learned from Paul and his companions how to persevere in the midst of those trials. It is one thing to see the proper example to follow in an apostle. It is the expected pattern to imitate. But, when you see other brethren following that approved pattern, it encourages us to join the effort with confidence. They became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia in two resounding ways. First, the word of the Lord sounded forth from them in Macedonia and Achaia. Persecution has a way of spreading like a wildfire and as believers left Thessalonica, they carried the flame of truth and love with them wherever they traveled, especially in the cities nearby on their trade route (cf. Acts 8:1-3). Second, the report of their faith spread forth everywhere. The evidence of their faith was seen from the fact that they received Paul and his message (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:13) and, thirdly, turned from idols to serve the living and true God. The fourth proof of their faith is mentioned in verse 10. They waited for His Son from heaven to return and deliver them from the wrath of God. We will take this up in a separate blog, tomorrow.