Today’s Reading:
1Thessalonians 1:1-10
“And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.”
(vv. 6-7)
Imitator is a person who copies someone or something that he or she thinks is good. That is, he adopts the appearance or behavior of another, especially in an obvious way.
It is natural for children to imitate their parents. Children often have their parent’s nature, their behavior, and their actions. You can be around a child and you can see their parents in the way they walk, the way they talk and in the things they do. While that is true in our earthly families, it is equally true in our heavenly families. Like beloved children, who are ever near to their parents, learning, observing, and growing; we are brought near to our Heavenly Father so that we might learn His ways and become more like Him. Paul, eulogies Thessalonian Christians for being their followers and of the Lord and encourages them to continue to be a good example to all believer.
You are being encouraged to be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. (1 Timothy 4:12). In everything set them an example by doing what is good (Titus 2:7)
You too like Thessalonian believers can be a good example of a believer in:
· Speech: Let your “reasoning expressed by words” be representative of your new life in Christ. Don’t go back to the old ways of crude talking, lying, bragging, etc.
· Conduct: Let your dealing with other men/women, conduct, life, behavior, manner of life be representative of your new life in Christ. Do not be lazy. Do not go back to the old ways of cheating, stealing, and so on.
· Love: Let your actions be with affection, good-will, love, benevolence that is representative of your new life in Christ. Do not be hypocritical or prejudicial. Also read - The parable of the despised Samaritan.
· Faith: Let your faith be simple and child-like in accepting what Jesus Christ has done for you. Do not “ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 4:23).” Do not be entrapped by religion.
· Purity: Live a life of moral cleanness that is representative of your new life in Christ. Do not go back to the old ways of reckless wild excesses and debauchery. “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11).”
You are also being encouraged to be good example of believer.
OWOLABI SUNDAY
Prayer:
O Lord help me to continually walk in love, in Jesus name.
O Lord help me to walk by faith in your Word, in Jesus name.
Father give me more grace o be an example of believer, in Jesus name.
Father, I receive your wisdom to be able to live the way you want me to live, in Jesus name.
Father let me always walk in the center of your will, in Jesus name.
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