Walk the Journey of Faith
Read the Text: 1 Thessalonians 2
Memorize the Text:
Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.
(Colossians 3:12-13, CSB)
Consider the Text: 1 Thessalonians 2
The apostle Paul called the believers in Thessalonica to live a life worthy of God. The apostle did not mean that people could obtain the favor of God due to our worth or goodness but charged believers to walk worthily because of their relationship with Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 2, the apostle Paul provided four truths concerning how believers should walk the path of faith. These four truths remain true today and challenge us to walk the path of faith worthy of the Lord.
WE MUST BEGIN THE JOURNEY
The apostle Paul explained the necessity to respond to the message of the gospel. The acceptance of the message of the gospel begins the journey with Christ and transforms our status before the Lord from enemy to friend and from foe to family. When we respond to the message of the gospel and receive Christ, we begin a journey to live out our faith. People attempt to begin this journey through their merit and other avenues only to experience a failure to launch spiritually. The only starting point of one’s life with the Lord is through faith in Jesus. Thus, everyone must respond to the gospel to begin the journey. Has your journey with Christ begun?
WE MUST WALK WORTHY OF GOD
Once the journey begins, the believer must walk worthily. The ability to walk in this manner comes as one focuses on their spiritual growth. The journey of spiritual growth opens the avenue to become more like Jesus as maturity occurs. The New Testament provides the truth that spiritual growth is expected in the life of the Christian. Thus, as believers grow, they can improve their ability to reflect on Jesus and become more like him. Is your walk illuminating Jesus? Are you walking worthily before the Lord?
WE MUST FOLLOW THE MARKINGS ON THE JOURNEY
The apostle Paul challenged the believers in Thessalonica to follow the markings on the journey. The markings consisted of the life of other believers who modeled living out Jesus. As they looked at other believers, they would find encouragement to grow in their faith. They would see how other believers faced various dynamics in their life and find encouragement through following their example. The same is true today. We must see to follow the example others follow the Lord set forth. This occurs here and now, and looking throughout history and seeing the faithfulness of believers. Are you following the example of other faithful followers of Christ?
WE MUST INVITE OTHERS TO JOIN THE JOURNEY WITH US
The journey is meant to travel with others. Though one’s relationship with the Lord is individual, the body of Christ is a family that travels together toward Jesus. Thus, we must live in the community and invite others to join the community. This truth means we must share the gospel and invite people to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. The emphasis is not on growing “our” church but on growing God’s kingdom. So we must share Jesus and invite people to follow him. When was the last time you asked someone to follow Jesus?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
