AN EXAMPLE OF GOOD CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR

PROCLAMATION

“And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, your faith in God has become known everywhere …”  1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written in a letter by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Thessalonica.  In this first chapter, Paul praised them for their efforts in the name of The Lord.  He told them that he thanked God for them in his prayers. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)  They were believers who had developed a deep conviction and were empowered by The Holy Spirit of God. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)  They became a model of good Christian behavior for all believers.

 

APPLICATION

It is not just preachers who should spread The Word of God, all believers also have the potential to do so because of the indwelling of The Holy Spirit.  All believers can be models of Christ-like behavior for the world to see.  All believers can share The Word of God with those unbelievers that they encounter.  We have the God-given ability to do so, we just need to exercise it.  Our faith in God and our love for God should cause us to want to share Him with others.  We need to recognize that to the world, our actions speak much louder than our words.   We need to exhibit Christ-like behavior if our message is to be effective.  Sometimes the change in our behavior from our previous sinful ways will speak for itself.