Daily D – 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
1 Thessalonians 1:6, 7 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. (NIV)
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Followers of Jesus are imitators and models. They imitate Jesus. They model his lifestyle before others. How closely are you following Jesus? How well are you demonstrating his purpose?
Paul points out how these early believers lived what they said they believed. He begins here in the opening to the first letter, particularly verses 8-10. He continues in 2:13-15 and in 3:6 and 7. Still more is found in 3:10-12. Paul encourages them to double down on what they are already doing in 5:11. Skipping on to 2 Thessalonians 1, Paul begins by bragging about them in verses 3 and 4.
Pause and ponder as you read these snippets. Where do you match these early believers? Where do you need to grow?
People do what people see. Let us look ever more to Jesus and to those who follow him closely and model him well.
Those we influence will carry something of us into their relationships. What will they embrace that looks like Jesus? How will others see Jesus in them because they have been with us?
Imitate Jesus. Model Jesus.
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I will imitate and model Jesus.
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Our Father, empower us to see Jesus with an ever-clearer perspective. Empower us to live and love like Jesus. May those we influence be ever more drawn to him and carry on the lifestyle of imitating and modeling that shapes the next generation of disciples and beyond. Amen.
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