When you read through 1st Thessalonians 1, don’t skip too quickly past verse 6. Here is what Paul says as he pays his readers a compliment: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

There’s a lot happening in that verse. But I’d like to draw your attention to the word “imitators.” He says that when they welcomed the message about Jesus in the midst of severe suffering, they were imitating Jesus.

When we think about being “like Jesus,” what comes to mind? My sense is that most people think about being forgiving, loving, holy, truthful, just and good.

But here in verse 6 Paul highlights something we often miss. When we remain faithful in the midst of severe suffering we are imitating Jesus.

After all, that’s what he did. He was ridiculed, mocked, flogged, tortured, abandoned and crucified. Through it all he remained faithful.

When you welcome the message about Jesus, and when you remain faithful despite the push-back, hardship and suffering you experience, you are imitating Jesus.

The Thessalonians were able to continue “with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” That’s so incredible. God himself gave them joy. I don’t think that means they were always happy. It think it means that through it all he kept their hearts and minds fixed on the fact that he was providing for them, guiding them, and keeping his promises.

One of the ways we can be like Jesus is to remain faithful in affliction. 

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.