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Reading: John
2:23-24
...many
believed into His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24
But Jesus Himself did not entrust Himself to them, for He
knew all men.
In the book of 1
Thessalonians Paul does not speak of miracles. He does not say
that the gospel came to the Thessalonians in miracles, wonders,
and healings.
Instead of emphasizing the supernatural and the miraculous, Paul
takes his living as a factor for the preaching of the gospel.
Throughout the centuries the human mind has been interested in
things that are fantastic, miraculous, and supernatural. However,
miraculous things do not last. But a work that is carried out by a
proper living will last.
God's salvation enables us to live a normal life. (We only have to
look at the news on TV to understand that many are missing this)
This is a strong testimony of the gospel. Christians should live a
normal life, not a miraculous, supernatural life. Therefore, a
proper life for the church life must be common, regular, and
normal. Such a life is characterized by turning to God from idols,
serving the living God, and waiting for the coming back of the
Lord Jesus.
To have this kind of life means that nothing on earth occupies us.
We are free from all idols, from all things other than God, and we
are occupied by the living God Himself. This living God is
testified in our daily life. We have a life which testifies that
the God whom we serve is living. Furthermore, our goal, hope, and
expectation are not related to things on earth, but are focused on
the coming back of the Lord Jesus. A life with these three
characteristics is a proper Christian life as a testimony to our
God.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus, I don’t want to dwell on the miraculous and
supernatural; rather, I desire to live a normal life with You
occupying me. Although I am living a regular life on earth; yet,
my hope is Your coming back...
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