“HE HAS CHOSEN YOU!”

 

1 Thessalonians 1:2-10                       (ESV)

The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

“[2] We give thanks to GOD always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, [3] remembering before our GOD and FATHER your work of FAITH and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our LORD JESUS CHRIST. [4] For we know, brothers loved by GOD, that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”, [5] because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the HOLY SPIRIT and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. [6] And you became imitators of us and of the LORD, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the HOLY SPIRIT, [7] SO THAT YOU BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS in Macedonia and in Achaia. [8] For not only has the WORD of the LORD sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your FAITH in GOD has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. [9] For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to GOD from idols to serve the living and true GOD, [10] and to wait for HIS SON from heaven, WHOM HE raised from the dead, JESUS WHO delivers us from the wrath to come.”

“HE (GOD) HAS CHOSEN YOU!”

The Church at Thessalonica must have been very unique as the Apostle Paul wrote to them “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”?  The HE that is being referred to is noted just prior when Paul wrote “For we know, brothers “loved by GOD”, that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”!  This same Apostle Paul was converted from Saul and GOD changed his physical name to Paul was NO DOUBT CHOSEN in Acts chapter nine on the road to Damascus, yet he found it necessary to write to the Thessalonians explicitly that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”!  Had I been told “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”, my outlook would be greatly enhanced.  The GOD OF CREATION had CHOSEN me to serve HIM???  

A person might need a mental evaluation before trying to convince me that “HE (GOD) HAS CHOSEN ME”?  Why did GOD CHOOSE a Brain Damaged Hemorrhagic Stroke Survivor out of HIS entire CREATION as a representative for HIS KINGDOM?  SURELY, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, WHO had at HIS behest literally BILLIONS of people to select from, would be able to find someone more “qualified” to represent HIM than me?  Why would GOD choose the least of HIS CREATION to serve HIM!  1 Corinthians 1:27 says very plainly “But GOD chose what is FOOLISH in the world to shame the wise; GOD chose what is WEAK in the world to shame the strong;”!  Maybe GOD uses we who are the least because we SEE that it is HIM that is operating within us, accomplishing HIS WILL despite our infirmities and inabilities???

My comprehension is not the best, so I am required to TRUST HIS WORD to illuminate TRUTH for me.  Verse seven above says “SO THAT YOU BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS in Macedonia and in Achaia.”  My paths probably won’t carry me to Macedonia and Achaia, but GOD has so “orchestrated” my paths that I KNOW HE is in complete CONTROL!  “SO THAT YOU BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO ALL THE BELIEVERS” that are in the path that HE leads me is what I need to remember.  ALMIGHTY GOD gives me the very breath that I breathe (Job 33:4) so that I can fulfill HIS PURPOSE for my life!  My prayer is, and shall be, that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU” to be an example to all of what JESUS can do with a lowly servant!!!