1^st Thess.1:[4] Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
[5] For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
[6] And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
[7] So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
[8] For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

It had been said by many that the Thessalonian Saints were the ‘model Saints,’ or in other words, they were an example of how God would have the members of His Body to live their sanctified lives. And yet, while there is much truth in this thinking, many do not see the overall objective of the Father, and the provision that is made on our behalf to accomplish our “perfection” in the faith. Our “election of God” oftentimes goes unnoticed, and many assume that it is only God’s will that the souls of all men to just be saved, and that they are no longer “in Adam,” but now that they are “in Christ” by faith alone. Buy it is by our Father’s wisdom, and design before the world, that we be more than just His children, but that we be “sons,” and that we think like He does, do things His way, and that we labor together with Him in the faith. This is what He intended for Adam in the beginning to be “godly,” so why would we think that God would be content with the Saints today being only ‘just Justified unto eternal life.”

1^st Thess.2:13] For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
[14] For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
[15] Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

Moreover, our Father desires “sons and daughters” that will be educated in the knowledge of His will, and they also labor with Him, and if the Lord, and our Father is being rejected, and looked upon as “foolish” by this world, wouldn’t it be befitting that His sons and daughters also be viewed in the exact same way? And if our Father’s word is being rejected, and also looked upon as “foolishness,” wouldn’t we think that it is also befitting that we too are viewed as preaching “foolishness” by this world? And when we see the persecution that was inflicted upon the Saints in God’s word of Truth, and the longsuffering, and patience of the Saints in God’s word of Truth, why do we feel that being persecuted does not pertain to our Sanctified lives?

1^st Thess.3:2] And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
[3] That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
[4] For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
[5] For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Therefore, the Thessalonian Saints received the word of God not in “word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost,” they allowed the word of God to rule their decision making, they viewed this world with ‘Spiritual eye glasses,’ they possessed a Spiritual mind. And when they  became saved, they didn’t continue to live how they used to, they could have, but they lived their lives by “by every Word of God,” that’s operating upon the “power.” And that is what Paul meant when he said that they allowed the word of God to work effectually within them that believe. There are many who believe, but do not understand and appreciate the “power” that we have been ‘predestinated’ to operate upon,  and be the godly sons and daughters who will live our Sanctified lives by Selfless Love, because this is the mind that was “also in Christ Jesus.” And that all our decisions are made based upon how His word teaches us to respond to the affairs of this life. And that we also know that the sufferings, and persecutions are also a very vital component to the Lord’s “strength” being “made perfect” in our weakness, this; as Paul said is allowing “the power of Christ” to rest upon us when we suffer for His sake.

2^Nd Tim.1:6] Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
[7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
[8] Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
[9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Finally, Timothy was “likeminded” with Paul doctrinally, but he was not operating upon the “Power,” he was not being a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.” And being “strong in the Lord and in the power of His Might,” consists of being the “living sacrifice” that He intended that we be unto Him, and knowing Him as not just God who made the provision for us so that we will not go to hell; but as God our Father, Who has a predestinated plan before the world began that we be His faithful sons and daughters who desire to “live godly,” because we are taught of our Father that: “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” And because we are operating upon a Spiritual mind, we know that this world hates our Father, and His Word, and it goes completely contrary to our Father’s will, this world operates upon its own “power,” it is the “power of the air,” {Eph. 2:2) and its “wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” (James 3:15) And our Father desires that we be as the Thessalonian Saint, faithful sons and daughters who desire to be “ensamples” to other saints, and bring forth honor, and glory unto Him in all godliness. But the only way this “perfecting” of the Saints can be accomplished, is by our hearts, and minds operating upon His Word, but “not in Word only, but also in power.” And that means; we are not to just be “in Christ,” nut have Christ, and His Word “in” us, and also by not just hearing the word, but allowing the word to “work effectually” (the intended way that our Father designed) within us who believe. 

2^nd Tim.2:1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
[3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
[4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Rod Jones