1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
When we make disciples and teach them all things by the mandate we have been given, the greatest joy and goal is that they hear the word as from God and not us. We are ambassadors and spokesmen for the kingdom of God, and we represent Christ to the glory of God by the power of His Spirit living in and through us. For this we should be ever thankful! His word works in us and we rejoice to see that in others as Paul did here in those he ministered to. We trust in the effective working of His word and work, and should imitate others who do so, corporately and individually. This includes suffering for Christ’s sake (not our own), and pleasing God when we are opposed, either from within or without the church. We stand valiant for the truth so others may be saved from God’s wrath hanging over us all. We preach Christ crucified, not wisdom or signs to impress or distract from God’s true reconciling purpose through the gospel. We are to be His spokesmen and ambassadors of justifying reconciliation through the cross of Christ. This is the source of our thanksgiving and joy.
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