Wednesday 3 July, 2013

13 We never stop thanking God for the way you received his word. You heard it from us. But you didn’t accept it as a human word. You accepted it for what it really is. It is God’s word. It is at work in you who believe. 14 Brothers and sisters, you became like the members of God’s churches in Judea. They are believers in Christ Jesus, just as you are. People in your own country made you suffer. You went through the same things the church members in Judea suffered from the Jews. 15 The Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets also forced us to leave. They do not please God. They are enemies of everyone. 16 They try to keep us from speaking to those who aren’t Jews. The Jews don’t want them to be saved. In that way, the Jews always increase their sins to the limit. God’s anger has come on them at last.

This passage reminds us of the suffering and persecution that the early believers had to face as followers of Christ. Like Paul, we too can thank God that these believers persevered and formed the church which we now benefit from. What a difference their lives made for the future of the world through the establishment of the church.

We may never know the difference that our lives will make to those who come after us. As we follow God’s word we are paving the way for future generations of believers!

It’s good to step back from day to day life and take a look at the big picture of God’s plan and how we all play a part of it. It helps us not to lose heart and give up. We are part of something great that God is doing through His church!

Thank you, God for the many believers who have gone before us – some paying the ultimate cost with their lives for the sake of the Gospel. Thanks that we have the privilege of partnering with You to bring Your word to the whole world.

Written by Shelley Witt