Imitators

1 Thessalonians 2-Part 7
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews.
2 Thess. 2:14

LET IT GLOW

As I sit in the back yard, watching my granddaughter play, I hear the singing of birds. It's so peaceful and quiet, until an airplane goes over. It sounds like dozens of  birds singing praises to the Lord Jesus, their Creator. Then  I spot the one bird sitting on the old electric pole, tweeting away. You see, it's a mocking bird, our state bird. He imitates dozens of other birds. That's what it was created to do. I wonder if it has it's own sound, amidst the others that it is making. Who knows? Maybe so. Anyway, he's an imitator. Paul refers to the Thessalonians as imitators. You didn't read the word in verse 14?

The word follower, in the Greek, means "imitator."
Here were the Thessalonians, who had never met the Judean believers, but began to live a lifestyle similar to theirs. Oh, they didn't give up their cultural distinctives, but began to live the distinctive Christlike life. That happens when the Lord saves us and we surrender to His will. He wants us to be like Jesus.
Paul had been a persecutor of Christians before his conversion experience. Pursecution was part of the Christians' lives. The difference for these believers was that it was carried out by Gentiles rather than by Jews.

Can we expect persecution? Yes, if we are imitating Christ. Look what they did to Him. Of course that isn't encouraging, is it? But look where He ended up, in heaven with the Father. What better reward is there?
Do people recognize me as a follower or imitator of Christ? Am I like the mockingbird in that I sweetly imitate the Lord?


LET IT GROW

Charles Swindoll, in his book, Contagious Christianity, said:

Lest you think that the Christian life will be a bed of roses, observe what Paul said in the later part of verse 14. Christians have always suffered, and they will continue to suffer. That's not in doubt. The only uncertainty is how intense the suffering will be for each believer. But regardless of the degree to which any  of us will experience pain and hurt, God will help us to endure it. The Lord will also make sure that those who afflict us will experience His wrath once they "fill up the measure of their sins" (verse 16b). God has set limits to the sins that can be committed against each one of us. And once those limitations are met divine discipline and judgment are carried out against those who are striking at us. The sovereign Lord always has things under control, even when we have a difficult time seeing that. This should give us, as His followers, a sense of peace.

How is my response? Do I accept the path I am to walk? Do I seek the Lord for strength to endure persecution? Am I committed to contentment that is strengthened by accepting the will of God?


LET IT GO

Be an imitator of Christ.

 Accept the path God has me walking. Seek Him for strength to endure whatever.