1Thessalonians 6-10 - And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything. 9 For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Back in the early '90's in South Korea, one could go to a shop to order clothing of any kind. They would measure you, make sure the order was just right, and then point to a wall full of labels for you to choose one. There was Nike, Reebok, or any fashion designer label you could think of. The shop owner would put the label wherever you wanted it on your garments, or if you ordered shoes, he'd put the label in the appropriate place on your shoes. Nothing like a good fake, huh?
Our passage today reveals for us the genuine, true believer's conversion experience. Because so many in our churches do not exhibit these three simple signs of genuine conversion, we ought to be examining our lives (as did the believers in Macedonia and Achaia) to see if there is something missing. Could it be we are experiencing some doubt regarding our call to Christ? Could it be that we are harboring some sin, holding something back from God, or simply too wrapped up in this world? Might we have left our "first love"? Or have you never experienced these three signs of conversion? Perhaps you need to trust Christ to save your soul and give your life to Him!
Those three signs are these: 1. Joy in the midst of persecution 2. World-wide proclamation of the truth of Jesus Christ 3. A changed life - inwardly, turning to God for all things, focused on Him and His will for you and outwardly, turning from whatever sins you used to practice to doing the will of God publicly while refusing to compromise for doing so.
These three things are NOT the result of being spiritually gifted, they are the result of being spiritually alive through faith in Christ Jesus. Anything less is just not the real thing. You can have it. Peter, speaking in the power of the Holy Spirit, said, "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." It was the most powerful sermon ever preached - and the message I proclaim to you today. What must you do to be saved? Call on the name of the Lord - ask Him to save you - right NOW!
Holler for Jesus,
Greg Yount
Check out my blogs:
Just-a-Thot - Devotional thoughts - http://justa-thot.blogspot.com
As I See It - Biblical perspectives on current events - http://asiseeit10.blogspot.com
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Pastor Greg