~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bible Verses ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 Thes 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind
of entrance we had toward you and how you turned to God from
the idols to serve a living and true God
John 2:23 ...many believed into His name when they saw the
signs which He did. (24) But Jesus Himself did not entrust
Himself to them, for He knew all men.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words of Ministry ~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the book of 1 Thessalonians Paul does not speak of miracles.
He does not say that the gospel came to the Thessalonians in
miracles, wonders, and healings. Instead of emphasizing the
supernatural and the miraculous, Paul takes his living as a
factor for the preaching of the gospel. Throughout the
centuries the human mind has been interested in things that
are fantastic, miraculous, and supernatural. However,
miraculous things do not last. But a work that is carried out
by a proper living will last.
God's salvation enables us to live a normal life. This is a
strong testimony of the gospel. Christians should live a
normal life, not a miraculous, supernatural life. Therefore, a
proper life for the church life must be common, regular, and
normal. Such a life is characterized by turning to God from
idols, serving the living God, and waiting for the coming back
of the Lord Jesus. To have this kind of life means that
nothing on earth occupies us. We are free from all idols, from
all things other than God, and we are occupied by the living
God Himself. This living God is testified in our daily life.
We have a life which testifies that the God whom we serve is
living. Furthermore, our goal, hope, and expectation are not
related to things on earth, but are focused on the coming back
of the Lord Jesus. A life with these three characteristics is
a proper Christian life as a testimony to our God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible
and Words of Ministry, from Witness Lee, Life- study of
Thessalonians, pp. 95-96. Both are published by Living Stream
Ministry, Anaheim. (Repeat 7/1/00)
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