Believers understood the power of God and sovereign grace in their salvation. 1 Thess. 1:4-6
The church in Thessalonica also knew that their faith in Christ Jesus and love for the saints was demonstrated in their work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul adds in verse 4, “knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you.” God chose them, they did not choose him. They knew their complete depravity before a righteous God. They took no credit but instead lived lives of thanksgiving for his choice of them. Paul is declaring the fact that this church was known for understanding God’s sovereign grace in their salvation. What a reputation and truth to accept before the church and the world.
Gospel preaching 1:8
The godly believers at Thessalonica understood the power of God in salvation, and they boldly proclaimed the saving gospel of grace to the world. Paul states in verse 8, “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.” When we truly believe that only God can save sinners then we are freed and empowered to proclaim the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection for sinners. We know people will be saved because God can and does do it.
Changed lives 1:9, 10
Godliness loves godliness! A true test of godliness in a church is how they treat men sent by God to proclaim his word. In verse 9, Paul describes to the Thessalonians how they were known for treating preachers of the gospel, “For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you.” Changed people treated God’s people well. They were a changed people. And a change people had a godly reputation
The church of Thessalonica had a godly reputation. Let that be our goal. Let us look for godly leaders from a church family of godly people.