My Bible time this morning was in 1 Thessalonians 1. Yes, again. I love this chapter.
I paused when I got to verse 5.
The NLT reads: "You know of our concern for you by the way we lived when we were with you." Eugene Peterson writes, "You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master."
It seems that Paul is trying to drive home a point. Salvation is not merely an intellectual acquiescence to the truth of the gospel. It involves a transformation of life and conduct that imitates Christ and his apostles. Think of it this way:
The names listed on the right are men who helped shaped my life during my teen years. I will forever be in their debt.
Let no one say that the gospel is devoid of life changing models!