Amazing Faith!

“...throughout every region your faith in God is celebrated...” 

1 Thessalonians 1:8

Imagine if this was said of us, that everywhere people were talking about our faith in God! Saint Paul wrote the believers in Thessalonica that that they became examples to all the Christians in Macedonia, Achaia, in all of Greece. We need to find out what they did!

In 1 Thess. 1:5, Saint Paul wrote that when he, Silas and Timothy shared the Good News to them, the Holy Spirit gave them full assurance that what they said was true. The original Greek word used is “pleroforia”, which means complete and faithful conviction. Do we know to the depths of our heart and mind and being that Jesus Christ is Lord, that He came to save us from death and separation from God? Do we have the joy and peace beyond understanding that comes from that “pleroforia”? 

The Thessalonians turned from idols to obeying and serving God. They imitated Saint Paul in following Jesus, and were steadfast in the midst if tribulation. It was not easy then to follow Christ, and it is not easy now. 

Lord, renew us in Your Spirit. Enkindle in us the fire of our first love for You. May we repent of any lukewarmness in our hearts!