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1 Thessalonians: modelling faith, hope and love
When we think of people who are models, I guess we think first of the highly paid world famous models - the so called "super models". To be honest, I couldn't even name one off the top of my head. But in reality, the every day models are the ones we are most likely to see and be influenced by - the ones in the catalogues for Aldi or K-Mart selling snow jackets or T-shirts, or the models on TV selling cruise ship holidays or make up. Everyday models.
And these are the champions of 1 Thessalonians - the every day models. Not modelling clothes or make-up, but modelling faith, hope and love. Listen to the words of thanks Paul has for the church of Thessalonica in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul thanks them for their every day faith, hope and love - which produces work, labour and endurance. Paul is thankful for the everyday lives of these Christians because their Christian life is producing every day results:
From verse 4-8:
1 Thessalonians 1:4-8
4For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.
Paul sees how God is at work in them. He can see the POWER of God at work in them. How? They were imitating Paul and his companions and, more importantly, imitating the Lord. Even in the midst of suffering, they became models to those in Macedonia and Achaia. Models. Representing Jesus. Imitating Jesus. Faith producing works. Love producing labor. Hope producing endurance.
They were everyday models of Jesus. Day in and day out just imitating Jesus. Convicted by the Holy Spirit their lives were changed and the Lord's message rang out from them. Everyday.
Being a model for Jesus does not take some ecstatic or over-the-top overwhelming act. Being a "Jesus model" is about an everyday faith, hope and love that we show others. At a time like this, we don't need super-heroes. We need everyday heroes who can do the boring looking faith things - like persevere, endure, work. It is this everyday faith that will ring out to our neighbours. It's this everyday dependability and reliabiilty of character and Holy joy that will impact those around us.
Of course, sometimes, a special out of the ordinary act will make a big impression. But for most of us, for most of our days, for most of our world, the everyday faith, hope and love is what will ring out the longest and loudest.
Being a model Christian is not about being perfect. (Because we can't be!) It's about the everyday perseverance and endurance. It's about finding every day joy in loving God and loving our neighbour. Being an every day model in the daily catalogue of life means simply reflecting the love of Jesus to those around us, in simple ways, in small ways, in everyday ways.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to value the small everyday ways I can reflect Jesus - help me to imitate him in my words, actions and thoughts. Help me to do this in small ways every day. And I pray for my church too - may we be known for our faith, hope and love in the small everyday ways we care for the people around us and show the joy we have in following Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.