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. (6) And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction , with joy of the Holy Spirit, (7) so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. (8) For from you the word 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 . (9) For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (10) and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus Who delivers us from the wrath to come.

The first letter to the Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul to encourage the faithful there who were being persecuted for the gospel. According to Luke in Acts of the Apostles, Paul preached the gospel for three sabbaths in the synagogue at Thessalonica until he was rejected by the Jews. There is some evidence that Paul didn’t remain much longer but the results were remarkable – and the converts who believed were mostly Gentile. Thessalonica was an important trading city with a pagan and worldly “sophisticated” culture. Before Paul’s gospel these people hoped their idols would save them but God opened their hearts and minds and the many faithful turned to God alone in Christ alone; turning is another way to say repented which is mention in Luke 24:47 and all through Acts.

We can’t separate saving faith from repentance as the two concepts are intertwined and both are used in reference to salvation. We can’t just turn aside at the moment of faith, we have to rewind. (Much like a mathematical problem).
In our verses today Paul continues to spell out the reasons he knew God had chosen the Thessalonian believers for salvation. Paul has already mentioned the significant life change evidenced; they turned to God from idols; they served God, welcomed the gospel and proclaimed it to others; they waited for God’s Son from heaven: The Lord’s visible return, in boldness, is a characteristic of a true believer. The doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ occupied a much more prominent place in the early church. The Old Testament believed in the coming of the Messiah and the faithful in Jesus who came to purchase salvation and will, when He comes again, bring salvation with him – full and final deliverance from sin and death and hell, from the wrath which is yet to come upon unbelievers. Wrath and judgments are not popular concepts today but the truth of it is essential to the gospel. If God does not punish sin He is neither holy or just.

In Jesus we are forgiven. I always go back to Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…….” The great theme of this letter is the second coming of Christ; this was of such importance that every chapter of this letter ends with reference to it and we should live as if this will take place imminently.

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