4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 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. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
(I Thessalonians 1)
Paul and his two assistants were very personal with the members of this church they were writing to. They all knew each other. These missionaries had seen how the people there had responded to the Gospel: fully receptive to the Word of God and responsivfe to the Spirit of God. Their lives had begun to change. These people also knew what kind of people Paul, Silas and Timothy were: they were sincere servants who loved God and them. They all were examples to others of what believers in Christ ought to be. Could this be written about us? Can others point to us and say: "I know them. I know what they are like. They are not perfect, but God is definitely doing something in and through their lives."? It is good to be known, especially if we are known for being good.
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