1 Thessalonians 1

First, before we start, I just want to say that I'm switching up the normal Roman's routine just to add some spice to the blog. Roman's is not over, trust me. I'm just starting up another book:)

1 Thessalonians 1:7

Paul writes in his first letter to the Thessalonians, "So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia."

Let's start! Firstly, this verse can be read in two ways depending on the mindset of the reader: the first way can be a limited view, the second an unlimited view. The reader with the limited view will see this verse as a praise to the Thessalonians and nothing more. The reader with the unlimited view will see this as a challenge to all Christians on earth. Seeing this as a challenge would be the greater way to understand this. At the time, the Thessalonians had just given up their idolatrous practices and began to worship our God, which was a huge thing back then. Paul was giving them praise for that earlier in the chapter. Geography wise, Thessalonica was a city in the nation of Macedonia, and Achaia was its own separate nation. So, to catch up: two nations, Macedonia and Achaia; one city in Macedonia: Thessalonica. Boom. So here we see that Paul says that they became examples to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. Both nations! One city of believers became an example to TWO NATIONS. Of course the Thessalonians deserve praise for that! Now if that happened nearly 2,000 years ago, why isn't it happening now?

Here it comes: if one city of Christ followers became an example to two separate nations over 2,000 years ago, imagine what can happen 2,000 years later! If Thessalonica can do it, why can't Phoenix? Or Detroit? Or Manhattan? Or Los Angeles? They had no enhanced ways of travel like we do today, and they were still able to set the stage for Macedonia and Achaia! Phoenix, or Detroit, or Manhattan, or Los Angeles can be an example for the U.S., and then Canada or Mexico. I believe it. We just need to step up our game as a body of Christ. Evangelism needs to take place as well as discipleship of fellow believers. It is totally possible. If Thessalonica could do it, so can we.