Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

The Thessalonian church had its beginning when Paul and Silas went there to preach the gospel. Paul reasoned with the people from the scriptures to show them that Christ needed to suffer and die, and to be raised again from the dead.

When they heard about the death and resurrection of Jesus, some of them believed. Among the Believers there were many devout Greeks, and also of the chief women. (Acts 17:1-4)

Later, when Paul wrote an epistle to the church, he was reminded of their “work of faith and labor of love, and patience of hope” in Christ. (I Thess. 1:3)

Their “work of Faith” was that they” turned to God from idols.” Their “labor of love” was “to serve the living and true God.” Their “patience of hope” was “to wait for his Son from heaven.” (V. 9, 10)

When they turned to God, they turned away from their idols. They stop serving their false gods and began to serve the true and living God.

The word of God commands us to turn to God. It also warns us not to turn away from God.

The psalmist prays three times in Psalm 80 that God would bring his people back to himself:

“Turn us again, O God and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved” (V. 3, 7, 19).