Paul the
apostle wrote concerning the Thessalonians “election of God”
and then proceeded to tell them how this came to be, “For our
gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the
Holy Ghost, and in much assurance”. He added, “as you know
what manner of men we were among you for your sake”. In chapter
three and verse six of his letter, Paul reminded the Thessalonians
how they became “followers” both his group “and the
Lord” where we read:
And you
became followers of us, and of the Lord,
having
received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
The
verse begins, “And you became
followers of us, and of the Lord,...” Paul
began with the words, “And you
became”
which means “came into existence, began to be, arose, performed and
appeared” “followers”
which is the Greek word “mimētēs”
and means “imitators” “of us”
which refers to Paul and his co-workers, “and
of the Lord”
or “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power
of deciding; he is the master, and this is a title given to God and
the Messiah”. Paul commended the church members in Thessalonica for
being “imitators” of his group and “the
Lord”.
The
verse goes on to say, “...having
received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:”
Paul added,
“having received”
which means “taken hold of or up, to bear, endure get and sustain”
“the word”
or “speech or utterance which embodies a conception or idea; a
discourse, doctrine or teaching which refers to the word of God”
“in much affliction”
which is the Greek word “thlipsis”
and means “pressing, pressure, oppression, tribulation, distress
and straits” “with joy”
which means “gladness or an occasion of great delight and calm”
“of the Holy Ghost”
which refers to “the Most Holy Spirit of God”. Though
“affliction”, pressure,
tribulation and oppression came upon the Thessalonians,Paul and his
entourage, they experienced the “joy
of the Holy Ghost”
in the midst of it.
As
we think through Paul's words, we should have these questions come to
our minds, “Who do we imitate, and how do we respond in
afflictions?” Is it other friends, mentors, movie stars, trending
fashions or speeches we follow? Is it Godly people who live holy
lives and manifest the gospel in everything they do? Do we “imitate”
the Lord Jesus in such a manner that if others were to examine our
lives they would declare us living examples of Him and His ways? The
test of whom we really follow is in our afflictions and trials just
as it was for the Thessalonians, and the evidence of whether we
follow the Lord will be seen in whether we have “joy of the Holy
Ghost” or not. Do we have “joy” in the midst of
sorrows? Are we glowing representatives of the gospel even when
enduring trials? May the Lord help us to know what it means to be His
“follower”, His “imitator”, and may those around us
know that we have been with Christ.
Next
time Paul shares how the church members in Thessalonica became
“examples” to
others, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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