Following God’s way

1 THESSALONIANS 1:1–10

PAUL’S first letter to the Church in Thessalonica is thought to be one of his earliest writings. He praises them for the way they live their lives following the true God. Paul writes of how he witnessed their lives transformed and that they live in a way counter to that of the reigning culture of the day. There is a cost to this new way of life. Yet, as followers of Jesus, they show that joy outweighs suffering.

In the midst of persecution, Paul is sent away and the Church is left to fend for itself. However, Paul hears that not only do these followers of Jesus continue to be a community filled with the Spirit of God – marked by the characteristics of faith, hope and love – but that their example is also being talked about and has spread into other areas of Greece and Macedonia.

If you’ve ever received an unexpected letter of encouragement or support from someone, you’ll know how much that this can mean.

Pause And Reflect

How would you feel if someone wrote to you today with such kind and enthusiastic words?

Who do you thank God for in your life?

When did you last encourage someone else?

Paul may have been disheartened to be sent away from Thessalonica (see Acts 16 and 17). Putting myself into

Paul’s shoes, and being the control freak I sometimes can be, I would struggle. I’d worry that the changes I’d seen in these people’s lives would not last. I’d worry that they might turn back to following other gods and idols instead of following the way of Jesus that had led them to be persecuted and rejected by the society around them. Who would blame them? I wouldn’t.

I recognise that the desire to be accepted by others can be so strong. These Thessalonian Christians, however, keep worshipping the one true God alone. It is seen in their way of life with each other, where faith, hope and love are the fruit. What we see here is the Spirit of God at work. He used Paul for a time, but it was the Holy Spirit at work in people’s lives that made transformation possible both with and without Paul.

Pause And Reflect

When have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your own life or in the lives of those around you?

What difference can small acts of kindness make to you or others?

More than five years ago, as a family, we were sent to the most southerly Salvation Army expression in the UKI Territory, on the Channel Island of Jersey. It is a beautiful place. Having come from a financially poor part of Kent and being sent to an island that is a tax haven, we wondered why The Salvation Army would even need to be here. Within a short amount of time it became clear. There is so much inequality here and we see the gap between rich and poor getting bigger and bigger. Often in clear ways and sometimes in subtle ways too, money, power and status are the reigning gods. It is hard to fully explain, but when you live and breathe this environment, it becomes inescapable. If you come on holiday, hopefully, you will not have a clue and just enjoy the lush beaches.

Our study passage reminds us of the call to live our lives with God as the number one priority. Following Jesus produces a countercultural way of life that is rooted in love.

Pause And Reflect

In your community, what are the modern-day gods that society worships?

How might you show faith, hope and love to your community?

Are there idols in our own Movement that can stop us from worshipping Jesus wholeheartedly?

Take time to consider and reflect upon how we can follow God and his values, rather than idols such as money, power and status. If you feel challenged, confess those things we have put ahead of faith, hope and love.

With God there is always the possibility for learning and moving forward into a way of life that brings life, so be encouraged. We worship and serve a gracious and loving God, who never gives up on us and gives us opportunities to be changed and start again. Praise him!

In our study passage, we recognise that the Christians in Thessalonica pay a cost as they choose to worship only God.

It is totally countercultural, and life isn’t plain sailing as a result; as their way of life no longer fits into the way of the world around them, they experience suffering.

You may have experienced this in your own lives. You want to live in the way of Jesus, loving God wholeheartedly, but there is a cost. It can be so easy to see short-term gains in chasing different idols and goals rather than persisting in God’s way.

Following God’s way isn’t easy – we’re in it for the long haul. But what we see from the Thessalonians’ response is that the joy that comes from following Jesus far outweighs the suffering. I am reminded of words from 1 Corinthians 13:8: ‘Love never fails!’

PRAY

Lord, help us to trust that you are at work in the seen and the unseen. Guide us in each moment of our day, in big and small ways. May we know your love at work in us and, with the Holy Spirit working through us, help us to show others your love through our words and actions. Amen.

Prayer Matters contains daily devotions covering specific areas in the territory, current worldwide situations and personal reflection and relationship with God. A PDF of the unedited booklet is available to download from salvationist.org.uk/resources

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: WALKING WITH GOD

by Karen Findlay (Wellingborough)

SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY

‘Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him’ (Deuteronomy 11:22 New Living Translation). Father God, we simply hold on tight to you as we walk in faith, knowing that you walk with us as we follow you. Amen.

SUNDAY 19 FEBRUARY

‘As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them’ (Luke 24:15 NLT). Lord, help us to remember that you are with us. We open our hearts and minds to deeper revelations that come from you. Amen.

MONDAY 20 FEBRUARY

‘Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4 NLT). Father God, I thank you because your constant presence means that I need not be afraid. Amen.

TUESDAY 21 FEBRUARY

‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life’ (John 8:12 NLT). Father, you are the true light. I commit to walking in your light so that the world will see that you are indeed the light of the world. Amen.

A Prayer Journey For Lent

by Captain Gary Lacey (Prayer Network)

WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY

‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?’ (Isaiah 58:6). Father, as I approach this most significant of events in Christian history, where you lived, died and rose again for me, I ask you to strengthen my focus on you and help me to take my eyes off ritual and tiresome actions. Amen.

THURSDAY 23 FEBRUARY

‘Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart’ (Psalm 27:14). Lord, as I wait for your answers, I commit to be strong. I take heart because you are always there and you always come through. I love you so much. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

FRIDAY 24 FEBRUARY

‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). Father God, I come to you with a commitment to switch my life from darkness to the light of your promise of life in all its fullness. Amen.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Do you have something or someone you’d like us to pray for? Email salvationist@salvationarmy.org.uk with ‘prayer request’ in the subject line and the Territorial Prayer Network will uphold them in prayer.