The Unmistakeable Sign of True Faith

“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, because 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. You 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. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (I Thessalonians 1:4-10 NIV)

Something had dramatically changed with the people in Thessalonica. Having once worshipped idols and lived in ungodly ways that accompanied it, many were now acknowledging the Lord and living lives submitted to Him.  They were now radically different and their transformation had an effect.  There lives now “rang out” with the message of the gospel.  Their faith became known, Paul says, everywhere.

There is a quote often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi that says, “Preach the gospel always.  Use words if necessary.”  The point being that words have little impact if not accompanied by action.  What made the Thessalonian believers stand out was not what they proclaimed, but how their lives had been transformed by the message they proclaimed. The power of God is demonstrated, not by our words, but the transformation of our lives.  The words of the New Testament would have little meaning if Jesus had not been raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:14).  It is the power demonstrated by the resurrection that makes us take notice.

It is so easy for those of us raised in the church and Christian homes to talk a good game.  We talk about love, about faith, about putting God first.  The question is, how much do our lives reflect our words?  Do our lives “ring out” with the message of the gospel, or do they instead have the hollow clang of hypocrisy?  

Today, reflect on whether or not there is power accompanying the words you speak regarding accepting the gospel.  True faith is accompanied by the unmistakable sign of a transformed life.

© Jim Musser 2016