You became imitators
1Thess 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
And just as Paul, they also demonstrated endurance of hope in the midst of persecution. This was an identifying mark of saving faith, and as such a basis for their assurance of salvation - that they endured in the faith in spite of severe suffering.
In some countries it's convenient to be a Christian. There is little persecution of the sort that the early church endured. So what kind of Christians are produced? Untested. It is inevitable under such conditions that nominalism will dominate the church. Popular Christianity is like a field full of trees as far as the eye can see, in an environment in which there is no wind. But when the wind comes and only those who are deeply rooted survive, the shallowness of the faith of most Christians will be revealed.
Heb 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
1Thess 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
And just as Paul, they also demonstrated endurance of hope in the midst of persecution. This was an identifying mark of saving faith, and as such a basis for their assurance of salvation - that they endured in the faith in spite of severe suffering.
In some countries it's convenient to be a Christian. There is little persecution of the sort that the early church endured. So what kind of Christians are produced? Untested. It is inevitable under such conditions that nominalism will dominate the church. Popular Christianity is like a field full of trees as far as the eye can see, in an environment in which there is no wind. But when the wind comes and only those who are deeply rooted survive, the shallowness of the faith of most Christians will be revealed.
Heb 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
