1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Acts 17:1-34 tells us about the brief visit of Paul and Silas (or Silvanus; v. 1) to Thessalonica, where they had proclaimed and lived the gospel (v. 5). Having received it (v. 6), the Thessalonians in their turn lived it. Their work was proof of their faith (cf. James 2:18); their labours confirmed their love; their patience proclaimed the great hope which alone could sustain them (v. 3). The result was that everyone knew that there were Christians at Thessalonica (v. 7). Does everyone in my neighbourhood or at my place of work know that I am a Christian? Conversion is the public sign of new birth, the visible change of direction which corresponds with divine life in the soul. When a person makes an about turn, he sees different things in front of him (Galatians 4:8-9). From then on the Thessalonians turned their backs on their lifeless, false idols to see and to serve the living God, the true God.
The idols of wood and stone of the pagan world have given way to the more refined ones of the so-called "Christian" world. But it is still true that no-one can serve two masters (Luke 16:13). Whom do we serve: God or our covetous desires? For what are we waiting: the Son of God or the wrath to come?