The Marks of Genuine Faith
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Genuine Faith is Active
Genuine Faith is Active
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace.
We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.
We recall, in the presence of our God and Father, your work of faith, labor of love, and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Works that came from their faith. Faith without works is dead. Works without faith are not good enough. But a faith that is producing works.... that is Genuine Faith!
Labor borne of love. This word is different than the word work. This word points to the gruelling, ongoing, tiresome, strenuous work. Not giving up.
Why does genuine faith keep on keeping on and refuse to quit? Because it is rooted in Agape love.
Endurance--- keep going… bear under the weight. Remember this church is suffering persecution from the Jews and the Gentiles. They could have easily considered giving up. But they kept going… because of their hope… There was a promise of something better. I’m not giving up.
Its also important to note that verse clearly says God is involved in genuine faith. He is the root of it. He chose us. We are chosen and loved by God.
Genuine Faith is Life Changing
Genuine Faith is Life Changing
knowing your election, brothers loved by God.
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,
That life change is rooted in the fact that God chose us and loves us.
He is both the subject and the object of our faith.
The Gospel is not just a set of facts to check off that you believe.
Gospel preaching is more than the presentation of facts.
Real Gospel preaching comes not only in word, but with the power to change… it is God’s message so God through the Holy Spirit comes and brings life changing power to the message. And when the Gospel is preached that way, and received that way it brings certainty. I can know that I really am saved. I can know that my life is empowered by God to live for Him. I’m changed from the inside out.
Genuine Faith Garners Attention
Genuine Faith Garners Attention
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we were among you for your benefit,
and you became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.
As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything,
for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
They found in Paul a good role model
They found in Jesus a good role model.
In both cases they found an example of accepting the Gospel message with joy no matter what the cost.
In spit of severe persecution.
Do you ever think about how easy we have it as believers in America. How much we take for granted.
These folks came to faith in Jesus under great duress.
But they did it so wholeheartedly that the word was out about them all over the place!
DOES ANYONE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A GENUINE CHRISTIAN? IS THE WORD OUT ABOUT YOU?
Genuine Faith Brings Repentance & Conversion
Genuine Faith Brings Repentance & Conversion
for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
Repentance: To have a change of mind that leads to a change of action.
Turned to God… Turn Away from Idols… to serve the living God
Genuine Faith Looks to Eternity
Genuine Faith Looks to Eternity
and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead —Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
We live life in view of the fact that Jesus is coming to deliver us from God’s wrath, poured out in the Tribulation.
We live life in view of the fact that we are going to where He is.
