SEVEN ATTITUDES TOWARDS GOD

1 Thessalonians

Morning Meditation 1/16/2013

In this epistle we read of several attitudes that the Thessalonians had toward God.

They received the word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:13, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." They did not receive it as the word of men but as it is in truth the Word of God.

It is the word by which one is born again: 1 Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." A person can’t be saved if he does not believe that the Bible is the inspired inerrant Word of God.

THEY TURNED TO GOD FROM IDOLS

1 Thessalonians 1:9, "For they themselves shew 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;"

God is Spirit and cannot be worshiped by the aid of idols. The Thessalonians recognized this and repented.

THEY WERE DWELLING IN GOD

1 Thessalonians 1:1, "Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Emphasis mine

Having received the Word of truth, and turned to God, they find their abode and resting place in God.

THEY WERE SERVING GOD

1 Thessalonians 1:9, "For they themselves shew 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;" They turned to God from Idols to serve the living and true God. There is only one true God. All the rest are fakes and are gods of man’s imagination.

THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE SON OF GOD

1 Thessalonians 1:10, "And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." The words “To wait” mean to wait with the added notion of patience. It is present tense which means to keep on waiting.

THEY WERE LEARNING OF GOD

1 Thessalonians 4:9, "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." God teaches. We need to be good students.

THEY WERE WALKING WORTHY OF GOD

1 Thessalonians 2:12, "That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory." We are called to this holy occupation. This leads to a life of holiness. It effects what we eat and drink and dress and talk. It effects all of our lives.

Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Ephesians 4:1, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,"

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White