Devotional

You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having

received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy

Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in

Macedonia and in Achaia. For the word of the Lord has sounded

forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in

every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we

have no need to say anything.

                                         1 Thessalonians 1:6-8

Today I just wanted to mention this idea of imitating the Lord

and what it entails. Paul is giving us some great insight in

these few verses.

It says that the Thessalonican Church was imitating Paul, his

entourage, and thus the Lord. Because of this, they "became an

example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia." But

not only did that happen, "for the word of the Lord has sounded

forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in

every place your faith toward God has gone forth." 

Meaning people were hearing of the Lord even further than

Macedonia and Achaia. Even so much as to when Paul and his

entourage came through those city's they had no need to say

anything. The example and imitation of the Thessalonians said

everything that needed to be said.

Let us pray that God would help us to imitate his Son more

closely, that we would be able to have this same impact in our

communities, reaching as far out as our state, and maybe even

nationally.