1 Thessalonians 1:8
For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
Sounded forth: to "echo" forth; broadcast
From you sounded out - As Thessalonica was very conveniently situated for traffic, many merchants from thence traded through Macedonia, Achaia, and different parts of Greece. By these, the fame of the Thessalonians having received the doctrine of the Gospel was doubtless carried far and wide. And it appears that they had walked so conscientiously before God and man, that their friends could speak of them without a blush, and their adversaries could say nothing to their disgrace. Adam Clarke Commentary
What sound does your life create? We all broadcast something. What is it that you believe in, that impacts your life in such a way that it literally echoes from your words, lifestyle, actions, attitude?
Choose a few people, either people you know or see on TV. Then consider what they broadcast. It may be the truth, or it may be false, but since they believe it, they will echo it loud and clear. The dangers are when we look to people and take what they are broadcasting as truth, without checking the facts.
What are you broadcasting? The people in Thessalonica broadcasted the truth of God. And their echo was heard far away. If you are not broadcasting God's truth, then changes need to be made. Echoes travel far - make sure your's is based on truth.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7
And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.
Examples: from two words, first: "strike repeatedly" – properly, a model forged by repetition; second: "pattern"; an example; α. in the technical sense, viz. the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made; in an ethical sense, a dissuasive example, pattern of warning; a stamp or scar becoming a model for warning
As I read this passage, my thoughts went to the term, "role models". There are many people who hold the title of "role model", but what do they model? From what pattern were they molded? And what pattern am I following?
Does it really matter who we pattern ourselves after? Does it really matter who we consider role models?
Yes, it really does matter. Whether you are seven or seventy, the people who you want to imitate will mold your thoughts, actions, and attitudes.
Whether you realize it or not, or want to or not, your actions, attitude, and words demonstrate who your role model is.
Perhaps it's time to consider what type of role model you are becoming. What actions, attitudes, and thoughts are you stamping on others?
The people to whom this letter was written, were role models of the Lord Jesus. They were living lives that demonstrated Christ's love and warned others of the truth of sin and the everlasting consequences.
Who is your role model? What type of role model are you?
As I was studying Galatians 5;22, 23, I decided to see what other verses used the same words.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared . . . Titus 3:4
Kindness: favorable attitude — that is serviceable
But—there is a contrast from Titus 3:1-3 to verse 4.
The apostle takes the advantage of the above character of himself, and others in their former state, to set off and magnify the grace of God in their conversion; so contraries, as black and white, illustrate each other. John Gill's Exposition
The act of redeeming us was one of great kindness, or goodness. The plan of salvation was founded on love to man, and was the highest expression of that love. Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible
This is a very practical Epistle. See how closely Paul keeps to the doctrines of grace. He never teaches that we are to be saved by works; but, being saved by the grace of God alone, and being made heirs according to the hope of eternal life, we are then, out of gratitude to God, to abound in everything that is good, and holy, and kind, and after the mind of Christ. Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible
We have the ultimate and highest example of kindness in God Himself. For there is no way for us to earn or deserve salvation. It is only by His kindness and mercy that salvation is provided. We are to show that same kindness to others, and the only way to do that is through allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us.
The fruit of the Spirit is . . . kindness.
Favorable attitude — that is serviceable. Kindness is action.
