For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
The Gospel is the good news that Jesus, the completely unique and only Son of God came into this world to take away the sin of the world by living a perfect life, dying on the cross in our place and for the payment of our sin, and rose again to newness of life on the third day. This great act, being good news for our relationship with God was ultimately good news for all of creation as it ushered in God’s Kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven. It initiated the return of the Kingdom reign and rules of God, allowing us to begin to escape our slavery to law and sin.
This Gospel consists of great words, but it’s more than that, isn’t it? The Gospel isn’t just words to be spoken; it’s not just a compelling story capable of evoking emotions from the hearer. No, the Gospel is more than that: the Gospel is power.*
The power of the Gospel clued Paul to the genuine salvation and faith of the Church in Thessalonica.* Interestingly, while the Church in Thessalonica withstood persecution and held onto their faith, hope, and love, the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives through the evidence of their growth and response to the Gospel is what showed Paul that their salvation was true.* The Gospel is power and it transforms.
In discussing these couple of verses, many engage in debate as to the nature of the election to which Paul refers.* Paul’s intent in these verses, however, is not to debate election.* His intent is to express gratitude to God for and encourage the embattled church in Thessalonica.* Paul is excited that the Gospel he preached was received in such a way that miracles happened and conviction came!* The nature of their reception of the Gospel was evidence of their election by God.*
Paul reminds us with his words that salvation is the work of God in our lives; we cannot make salvation happen, though we can see its fruit in our lives.*
As a reminder, John 3:16 (emphasis added) tells us,
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
2 Peter 3:9 (emphasis added) also states,
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
God selected everyone. He elected you and He elected me. We must then choose to submit to Jesus unto salvation. How do we know if our choice was genuine? We will see fruit: the power of the Holy Spirit at work and His gentle conviction.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to celebrate the convicting work and displays of the Holy Spirit’s power in your life. Perhaps today there is a group of Jesus-followers that you should encourage. Maybe today God wants to remind you that He chose you and that your salvation depends solely upon Him.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (pp. 48–50). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (pp. 61–66). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 91–97). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, pp. 148–156). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, pp. 45–46). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 49–53). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 89–92). Baker Academic.