The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5,
"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction."
To be chosen, to be selected, to be picked out of a group can be a tremendous thing, whether it is for a proposal of marriage, selected by a little league team for short-stop, or getting that job that others interviewed for as well. Imagine the "selection" of us believers out of all humanity and what that brings!
John tell us, "To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." John 1:12. God has chosen for himself all who will embrace him in faith. These Thessalonian believers did just that. Upon hearing the gospel, they placed their faith in God and became one of his "chosen ones." I am aware that many see it in reverse, but I am fully assured they are getting the cart before the horse. Paul observed of these believers, "our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction." 1 Thessalonians 1:5. They modeled what Paul told those in Rome as to how faith comes about, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." Romans 10:17.
But don't let the fine print obscure the wonderful message of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. All believers have been chosen by God to join his family, to inherit eternal life, to experience eternal pleasures at God's right hand, Psalm 16:11.
How amazing is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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