April 13. 1 Thessalonians 1. Neil and Cheryl Rondorf

Turn away from idols and toward God

Thessalonica (present-day Thessaloniki, Greece) was the capital of Roman Macedonia. It was on important trade routes. Paul, twice identified as the author (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:18), visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey but was forced to flee because of Jewish opposition. He sent Timothy to minister there in his stead.

We saw in Acts 17:1-9 a very short and action-filled stay in Thessalonica. There were riots, mobs, city-wide turmoil, and yet in the face of all that there were people that decided Jesus was more important than all that was going on in their city. In Paul’s letter to the disciples in Thessalonica he acknowledges the challenges in vs 6 “… you received the word in much affliction,…’. The impact was to be an example throughout Macedonia and Achaia. They turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God (vs9). How often today are we distracted by the world’s activity and events. Do we allow them to dictate our attitudes and actions rather than choose God over those influences? Are we able to be an example to others or are we swept up in the daily events (which are often the same as yesterdays) and live lives that are an example in our homes, neighborhoods, workplace. Is anyone talking about your relationship with God or do they even know you have one? We need to be wrestling with this and choosing wisely on a daily basis. Let us strive to be a Godly example to those around us.

The Rondorfs at Apostle Paul’s Altar (near Thessaloniki, Greece, October 2017)