…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…
1 Thessalonians 1:9 NIV
Turned from Idols
Remember Ryan Malcolm, the first guy to win Canadian Idol? He started with the smash hit “Something More,” which was ironically, something less than we expected long-term. After his brief stint in the limelight, Ryan switched to a quieter life, becoming co-owner of a pizzeria in Kingston. Yep, from pop star to pizza pie purveyor! He married his long-time girlfriend, and while he isn’t topping the charts, his pizzas are topping lists in Kingston, so that’s a win?
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What has God done in your life? Do others know that He has done this for you? Thessalonica was a major city in Macedonia, a bustling hub of commerce and culture within the Roman Empire. The Greeks and Romans were polytheistic, worshiping deities like Zeus, Apollo, and Athena, alongside a host of local gods and goddesses. In Thessalonica, these idols would have been central to everyday life, celebrated in both public festivals and private devotions. When someone became a follower of Jesus, they turned aside from these idols in spite of great opposition from their fellow Thessalonians. This served as a great example and encouragement to believers in other cities. Paul says this in 1 Thessalonians 1:9: “…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…” When we become a follower of Jesus, others ought to see the difference He has made in our lives. We may not have been worshipping idols – although many in Canada do so these days – but Jesus changes us from the inside out. Let that change be obvious to all.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley