In the opening verses of this letter, we read Paul’s words which seem to indicate he had a high regard for the church of the Thessalonians. He is assured of their calling, and of the power of the Spirit within them. He loved to preach, and it seemed that here in Thessalonica, the Gospel was received with power. You can feel the emotion running through Paul as he writes with fondness to these people.
For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 NASB
It was not just that Paul had preached there, or that they had received his preaching, but that the cities were buzzing with stories of their faith and conversion. It was the “Real Stories of Thessalonica.”
The churches that Paul established were only as strong as the response and action which they took to give their lives and obey God. Here we read that following was strong. The trumpet blast had gone out to every region in close proximity and it was evident – not by the preaching, but by the reports of people giving up their idols and receiving Christ.
Often, we underestimate the power of a testimony. We underestimate OUR testimony. The tangible obedience is sometimes what’s needed to encourage others and start a revolution. Obedience is contagious, and Paul knows it. He affirms the believers here for their active response to the faith, which has rumbled and echoed to so many other lives on the fringe.
The same is true for us.