Paul went to Thessalonica in Macedonia on his second missionary journey with Silas (Silvanus) and Timothy. As a result, many Greeks, and some Jews, become followers of Jesus. Like always, however, fierce opposition arose and Paul and his companions were driven out of town. Shortly thereafter Paul sent Timothy back to check on the progress of the new church. The occasion for the first epistle to the Thessalonians was Timothy’s report (3:6–10). Timothy had reported, to Paul’s joy, that the new believers at Thessalonica were standing firm in spite of persecution. This was remarkable. One would expect that the faith of these Thessalonian believers would have been crushed by it. However, what they received was much more than a new belief system. When God speaks, his word is implemented as it is spoken. When he reveals himself to a person, he changes that person. The very same assertion of truth can have completely different effect depending on who speaks it. If it is spoken by one who is full of the Holy Spirit then the word is not just information, it is power. Paul is a model for us to follow. His witness was not just a matter of words, but also of power. The Holy Spirit worked through him to bring about deep conviction in the hearers. You can argue with ideas and propositions but, when the power of God is transforming a person’s heart, then it proves itself. God doesn’t need us to be eloquent debaters of truth. He wants us to be filled with the power of truth and to give out of that.
Ask God to transform you and, through you, bring his transforming power into the lives of others.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1
