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A CHURCH IN GOD AND IN CHRIST
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
1 Thessalonians 1:1-2

Matthew 13:20-21

 

“…which is in God the Father

and in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

A CHURCH IN GOD AND IN CHRIST
 
The epistle begins with Paul’s greetings to the church of Thessalonica, describing them as being “in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 1:1). While many may tend to gloss over this phrase, it is a rich and meaningful description of a healthy spiritual life that we would do well to meditate upon.
 
They were a young church that had experienced a rocky start, having been plagued by persecution from the very beginning. One would think that they would be a church filled with problems, teetering on the edge of collapse. They could have so easily become like the seed that fell into stony places in Jesus’ parable (Matt 13:20-21) where, because of tribulation or persecution, they soon withered and became unfruitful.
 
Yet, the very opposite was true. Despite what was happening to them, they were highly commended by Paul as being an exemplary Gospel witness in the region (1 Thess 1:7-8). How was that possible? The answer lies in the fact that they were in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
This means that as a church they were secure in God and in Christ. They had an intimate and abiding relationship with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They knew Christ well and enjoyed a very blessed fellowship and union with Him. They trusted in God and sought to obey His will in all things. This ensured that they could remain strong as a church despite the absence of Paul or any of the Apostles. Their hope was in the infallible God, not in any one person.
 
Oh, what a blessed thing it is if every believer can confidently say that he is in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ! Every believer ought to prioritise their walk with the Lord above all things, and then all other facets of their lives will fall into place. If we are in Christ, no trial or temptation can turn us away from God, for our hope and trust is always and only in Him!
 
THOUGHT: It is a most blessed privilege that believers can abide in Christ.

PRAYER: Father, help me to always find comfort and assurance in Thee.

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