August 12 2026

Wednesday August 12

Beloved and Chosen by God

1 Thessalonians 1:4

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Yesterday we looked at 1 Thessalonians 1:3, where Paul remembered three wonderful evidences of genuine Christian life in these believers: their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Today Paul continues in verse 4 with a short but powerful statement: “Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.” There are two wonderful truths here that I want us to think about today. First, we are beloved by God, and second, we are chosen by God. Notice how Paul addresses these believers. He calls them “beloved brethren.” Paul loved them, of course, but I believe the emphasis here is even greater than Paul’s personal affection for them. They were people who were beloved by God.

Think about that today. If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are loved by God! The Bible does not teach us that God loves us because we are good enough, religious enough, or deserving enough. God loves us because of Who He is. John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” Romans 5:8 says, “But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God did not wait until we cleaned ourselves up before He loved us. He loved us while we were sinners, and He demonstrated that love at the cross.

But Paul goes even further. He says, “Knowing, beloved brethren, your election of God.” Now, the word “election” sometimes becomes the subject of theological debates. Good and sincere Bible-believing Christians have disagreed over exactly how God’s sovereignty and human responsibility work together. But I think sometimes we can become so occupied with the questions surrounding election that we miss the wonderful encouragement Paul intended these believers to receive from it. The word simply carries the idea of being chosen to love and serve God and others. Paul was reminding these Thessalonian believers that their salvation was not an accident. God had a purpose for them. God had called them to Himself through the Gospel.

And notice something very important. Paul said, “Knowing… your election of God.” How could Paul know? He could not look into the secret counsels of God in eternity. He could not see their names written in the Book of Life. But he could see what had happened in their lives. And that becomes especially clear when we read the next verse. Verse 5 says: “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.” Paul knew something genuine had happened because he had seen the evidence. Remember what we learned yesterday. Their faith was working. Their love was laboring. Their hope was enduring. In other words, their changed lives gave evidence of the reality of their salvation. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.”

We are not saved by our works, but when we are truly saved, there should be a work of God taking place in our lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it very clear: “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” But we sometimes stop there. Verse 10 continues: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works. That is exactly what Paul was seeing in Thessalonica. Think about what had happened there. Paul had only been with these people for a relatively short period of time. He preached the Gospel to them. They received the Word. They turned from idols to serve the living and true God. Then almost immediately, persecution came. Yet they remained faithful. Paul could look at them and say, in effect, “I know God has done something in your lives because I can see the evidence of His grace.”

And I believe there is a very practical application for us today. What evidence is there in my life that God is at work in me? Not, “Have I joined a church?” Not, “Have I been baptized?” Not even merely, “Did I pray a prayer sometime in the past?” Those things may have their proper place, but the question is: Has Jesus Christ changed my life? Is there a work of faith? Is there a labor of love? Is there a patience of hope? Is there a growing desire for the Word of God? Is there a desire to please the Lord? Is there a love for God’s people? When I sin, does the Holy Spirit convict me and draw me back to fellowship with the Lord? Do I desire to share Christ with the lost? These are evidences of the work of God within us.

And there is another encouraging truth here. Paul says our election is “of God.” Salvation begins with God! God planned it. Jesus purchased it with His blood. The Holy Spirit applies it to our hearts as we hear and respond to the Gospel. That should produce humility in us. We cannot boast about our salvation. We can only boast in Jesus Christ. But it should also give us assurance and encouragement. If you know Christ today, remember this: you belong to Him. You are beloved by God. Your life has purpose. And the God Who began that good work in you will continue His work in your life. As Paul said in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that He which has began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You today that salvation is Your wonderful work of grace. Thank You that You loved us even when we were sinners and sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us. Thank You that those who have trusted Christ are beloved by You and belong to You. Lord, help us to examine our lives today. May there be clear evidence that You are working in us. Give us a faith that works, a love that labors, and a hope that patiently endures. May our lives demonstrate to those around us the reality and power of the Gospel. Thank You for choosing us for the wonderful privilege of knowing You, serving You, and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

God bless, and you have a wonderful, wonderful day.