SEPTEMBER 13 READING…1 THESSALONIANS 1
Paul begins this letter with his standard greeting of gratitude to God for the believers in Thessalonica. He commends them for their works of faith, their love, and their patient hope in Jesus Christ. Paul praises God for both the salvation of the believers in this church, and for they way they are growing as a body of believers in Christ Jesus.
Paul reminds us that the Gospel did not come by the persuasion of words, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also gives us assurance of our salvation, while changing us from the inside out, changing us to the image of our Savior, Jesus. He is not saying that the words don’t matter when we share the Gospel…he is saying that words without the Spirit are never enough. We have been able to receive the word of the Gospel in order to share that word with others. Finally, we are called to live by the Spirit, share the Gospel by the Spirit, and remain true to God by the power of the Spirit…until Jesus comes and rescues us from the wrath of God which is to come upon this whole earth.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW’S READING…1 THESSALONIANS 2