Throughout Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica, we read of seven characteristics or attitudes this congregation had toward their God.   Are we exhibiting these seven attitudes?  We should be.

1.  They received the Word of God, 2:13

This is the first thing anybody should do.  The Word of God is the Word of Truth, that will lead an individual and a congregation into truth and away from error.  Far too many churches compromise the Word, and therefore fall into false teaching.  Every believer needs to all allow the Holy Spirit to prepare the soil of his heart to receive the incorruptible seed of the Word.

2.  They turned to God, 1:9

They turned to God and away from their “idols.”  These idols, although we don’t know what they were, were of their own making from their own worldly imaginations.  Notice they turned from them and to God.  In  other words, the living and true God took the place of  the dead, false idols.  When the Word of God’s Truth is allowed to stream into your being, a change must take place:  either you  will turn from your sin, or you will block out God’s Word from your hearing.

3.  They were “in God,” 1:1

They received the Word, they turned away from their idols and they found their dwelling place in God.  Those who turn to God with all their heart will  never seek to turn away from Him.  In Him we find our life and strength and our very being!  In Christ we are planted by rivers of water, so that the roots of our desires are abundantly satisfied.

4.  They served God, 1:9

That a believer should serve–work for–God is beyond question.  The nature of our work for Christ should look like this:

1. It should be a work of faith;
2. It should be a labor of love;
3. It should be in patience and hope;
4. It should be done in the Lord Jesus Christ; and
5. It should be done in the sight of God.

5.  They looked and waited for the Son of God, 1:10

Jesus promised He would come again, and these people believed Him, and they looked expectantly for His return.   This is the perfect combination in any believer:  active service and patient waiting.  The Church must make the most of the time she has.

6.  They learned of God and from God, 4:9

Learning should be the lifelong ambition for ever believer.  We need to be forever students, learning at the feet of Jesus.  Those who are born again are filled with Holy Spirit, who leads us and guides us and teaches us.

7.  They walked worthy of God, 2:12

To this end we are called.  Walking worthy of God pleases God.  We walk worthy of God when we love one another, when we encourage one another and build each other up.  When we live like this, we are worthy of His love, of His holiness and of His power.  If, on the other hand, we live only for ourselves, and we are dissatisfied, powerless and do nothing for God or His Church, then are most certainly not worthy of God.  It  is by God’s mighty indwelling Holy Spirit alone that we are  made to walk worthy of our calling.

Walk as Christ walked!