1 Thessalonians 1

A closer look at the sequence of events in this chapter will yield more evidence for what we have said is God's will for believers.

Verse 4: "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you." Who is the "we?" Look back in verse 1—Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. Who is the "you?" Also in verse 1—the church of the Thessalonians. So in this verse, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are writing to say they are certain the people of the church in Thessanolica are believers. I would love to know what it was about them that caused these three guys to say for certain they were saved, wouldn't you?

Then let's keep going. In verse 5, we see that the gospel came to them, and it is their response to the gospel which is the key. Verse 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, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia."

See the Thessalonians were imitators of Christ because they received the word of God as precious and pleasant. You know it was precious to them, because if it wasn't precious, then when they experienced affliction because if it they would have thrown it away! And you know it was pleasant to them, because it gave them great joy! And if that's not enough then look what they did with it. Macedonia and Achaia are the regions above and below Thessanolica. This gospel was so precious and pleasant to them, that word of it spread to all the believers in the surrounding regions!

Do those around you report of your love for God and his word? Do they know how precious and pleasant his word is to you? Is God's word precious and pleasant to you?