Isaiah 43-44 1 Thessalonians 2

“Also, we always thank God because when you heard his message from us, you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of humans. And it really is God’s message which works in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 NCV)

One of the problems that Paul dealt with was that as the time increased since he’d last seen the church he was writing too, their memory of his authority faded. As Paul reminded them of his work among them, he also pointed out that they began their walk of faith by realizing that they didn’t listen to Paul’s gospel, they listened to the gospel from God that works in the hearts of everyone who believes. While Paul’s life, and the lives of those who were with him, reflected the love and grace of God in all their interaction with the Thessalonians, the ultimate truth of the message is that it came from God. The Thessalonians knew that, and we know that today, by the way the gospel works in our lives.

I can look back on how I’ve changed since I believed the good news about Jesus and realize that the gospel message has worked in me. I remember some of the people who helped me along the way, the people who shared the love of Jesus with me. I know that there are some people I’ve forgotten. I hope that there are people along the way that I’ve influenced to experience the love of God in Jesus Christ. Whether they remember me or not is unimportant as long as they follow Christ and let His word work in their hearts. For me, for others, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news, is life changing for the good. Once we come to understand how God works in our lives, we also recognize that we have a responsibility to show His love to all people that they, too, may experience God’s love. As we share, though, we need to be mindful that the message is always God’s message. Our job is to relay the gospel to people who need God’s love.

Oh Lord! What an amazing message of love and grace You’ve entrusted us to share. Help me to share Your work of forgiveness and salvation with all I meet. Let me be Your minister of reconciliation.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.