1 Thessalonians 1

March 31, 2022

“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction... You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (v4-6‬)

There is a lot of confusion about the doctrine of election. “How do I know if God has chosen me?” is a common question. But Paul highlights that the evidence and litmus test for God’s election is simply our gospel reception:

Was/is there “conviction” of our sin (v5) and need for a Savior?
Was/is there “joy in the message” of the gospel? (v6a)
Are we now seeking to “imitate” the Lord in response to the gospel? (v6b)

Conviction of sin, joy in our salvation, and a desire to follow Jesus in grateful response to the gospel - these are the signs of God’s election.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I praise You and thank You for Your gracious “choosing” of me. As Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose You” (John 15:16). Thank You for opening my eyes to my sin so that I recognized my need for a Savior. I know that can only happen by the supernatural work of Your Spirit. May I continue to grow in joy as I contemplate Your salvation, so that it inspires me to live wholeheartedly for You, seeking to imitate You, even today!

— Pastor Joshua Brooks

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Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…

Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?