Today's devotion is from JACO BESTER who serves St John's Presby in Middleburg.
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For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (English Standard Version) 1Thessalonians1:4-10
It is toward the end of this brief passage that we are introduced to the 'symptoms of true transformation' that is brought about by the Gospel of Jesus Christ taking root in our lives - "a transformation so powerfully set forth in the example of the Church in Thessalonica. Paul says that the Thessalonians" turned to God from idols" (the transformation) and goes on to explain that this transformation took the shape of"[serving] the living and true God" and "[waiting] for his Son" (the symptoms).
These two symptoms of 'serving' and 'waiting' should always stand as the markers of true transformation. We cannot claim to have been transformed by the Gospel unless we show forth this transformation through our service of the Lord unto his people; and find ourselves always waiting for his guidance and return - our service is for him, in the hope and eager anticipation of his glorious return.
But what is it that motivates our service and waiting? What is it that drives our transformation? It is nothing other than the love of God and the growing awareness, both as faith communities and individuals, that we are loved by God what a glorious thought!
Perhaps the most beautiful turn of phrase in this passage is that of Paul's description of the transformed church in Thessalonica. He addresses them as"brothers loved by God". It was William Barclay who wrote of this very passage when he said,"The phrase beloved by God was a phrase which the Jews applied only to supremely great men like Moses and Solomon, and to the nation of Israel itself... Now the greatest privilege of the greatest men of God's chosen people has been extended to the humblest of the Gentiles."
It must always be kept in mind that the nature of our transformation by the Gospel is to that of "beloved of God". We are literally transformed into those who are loved by God, and have become aware of that great love (Not more loved than any others, just more deeply aware that we are loved). It is God's love, through Christ, that transforms us and motivates our 'service' and 'waiting'.
The very thought that we are loved by God is what serves as the catalyst for true transformation...
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
