“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything." (vv.5-8)
Here at the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonian church he is recounting to them that, wherever they went (Paul and his companions), they were finding a great testimony of the church concerning their sound conversion from idols to the true and living God. Paul seems to refer to all whom he had met, or had heard of "in all places" he had visited who said anything about the Thessalonians, “they” were unanimous in bearing testimony to their conversion.
This was no resolution on their part, but a true conversion. They turned from serving and worshipping the gods of the gentiles (Pluto, Mercury, Jupiter, etc) to serving the one living and true God by; embracing and professing His Gospel, submitting to His ordinances, and walking according to His Word. And, became a witness to all in Macedonia, Achaia, and in every surrounding area (vv.7-8). Paul stated of them that, "Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything" (v.9b).
Wow! What a great testimony. As a Christian, we all have a conversion story to tell, ua life we once lived in service to ourselves. How we turned from a life of selfishness to a life of servanthood, from a path of unrighteousness to a one rich in mercy and great love. May the church be known for its love and grace towards others, for submitting to God and His Word, and may we be that witness to all around us, that our faith in God speaks for itself.
The Truth: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” (Ephesians 2:1-5)
