Honkers

1 Thessalonians 1-Part 4
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affiction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.  1 Thess. 1:6


LET IT GLOW

No, this isn't taliking about horn honkers or nose honkers. We have two geese that flew into our neighborhood last week. As I watch them walking around, eating and honking, one goose seems to always be following the other one around. I wonder if they have affliction, tribulation, troubles. I suppose the only trouble they have is finding food and avoiding preditors (coyotes). The Lord takes care of them, so they don't have to worry, even  if they could. (I should learn a lesson from them.) They might be  nesting here.  There will be some little goslings running around this summer. However, this is not their usual homing place. The past few years they only stopped by for a short visit to the pond on their flight north in the spring. I enjoy watching them waddle around, kind of like I walk, waddling and honking.

Three words seem to stand out in this verse-followers, received, and affliction.

Liberty Bible Commentary says:

It was because of their "reception" (dechomai in Greek) of the Word (which means to receive in a respectiful, obedient, and favorable way) that they became followers. A more literal translation would be, "You became imitators." The joy of the Holy Ghost is to be interpreted as a Greek subjective genitive: it is joy inspired by the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Word is receiving Christ, receiving Christ is receiving the Holy Spirit, and He brings joy and gladness. He inspires confidence and liberty in our lives.

Contagious Christianity, by Charles Swindoll,  states:

Paul affirmed these Christians for two responses they made to the gospel message. The first words of encouragement concern their personal modeling of the gospel before other Christians. They became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (verses 6-7). The second affirmation was given because of the vigor with which they proclaimed the gospel to non-Christians (verse 8).

So the Thessalonians received the Word, were obedient, became immitators, with burdens for the lost, shared Christ having joy in the Holy Spirit. (That's a long sentence, but it explains the verse.)
Am I obedient to the Word? Am I an imitator of the Word and Paul? Am I burdened for the lost? Do I share Christ with joy in my heart?


LET IT GROW

Verse 7 says, "So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."

The Greek word for examples was used to describe a seal that marked wax or a stamp that minted coins. The Thessalonians were model believers, leaving their mark on others. (MacArthur)

The king would put his seal on a new law or an order. They used a stamp for making coins. Does my life have a stamp of being a Christian?
What an effect the gospel had on the Thessalonians. They were witnesses throughout the province of Macedonia.
Romans 14:17 says, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

In verse 6, Paul says the Thessalonian believers have joy in the midst of suffering, which is evidence of the reality of their salvation, including the indwelling Holy Spirit (1Cor. 3:16, 6:19).

Am I an example of Christian living  for others to see? I do fail often. How about you?


LET IT GO

Be a faithful follower of Christ and His Word.

My life should be a stamp of a  Christian.