What Does God's Salvation in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Accomplish in New Believers?

    The epistles to the Thessalonians are foundational for new believers. In his Life-Study of Thessalonians Witness Lee opens up by talking about the background of these books.  Paul wrote these letters to a newly saved group of believers who lived inThessalonica which was a very evil and immoral city. And that's probably why in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Paul brings up the three aspects of a holy life so that they could be preserved:

Or they themselves report concerning us what kind of entrance we had toward you and how you turned to God from the idols to serve a living and true God and await His Son from the heavens,…

   I appreciated the summary given on these verses given at the beginning of Chapter 12 of the Life-Study of 1 Thessalonians: 

God's salvation enables us to live a normal life….Such a life is characterized by turning to God from idols, serving a 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…. 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 (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 1 Thessalonians. Living Stream Ministry: Anaheim, 1982, Print). 

   Both Watchman Nee and Witness write about M.E. Barber's life and service as a Chinese missionary.   This is a record Watchman Nee shares about her heart of waiting for the Lord's return:

The Lord's return is not just a matter of knowing but also of waiting. She was truly one who lived for the Lord's return. This is evident in the many hymns she wrote concerning waiting for the Lord's coming back. On the eve of 1925, Brother Nee and Sister Barber were praying together. She prayed, "Lord, will You really let the year 1925 pass away? Although it is the last day of the year, I still ask You to come today." A few months later Brother Nee met her on the street. Sister Barber took his hands and said, "This is strange. Why has He still not come, even up to today? Maybe He will come before next year." As she walked with Brother Nee on the street, she said that they might meet Him at the next corner. 

You can see from this that she was a person who lived looking for the Lord's coming back. That's the kind of heart I want to have!  This reminds me of a song that I like to listen to called  The Day Approaches.

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on 1 Thessalonians on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  

What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Say About God?
What Does God's Salvation in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Accomplish in New Believers?
Why Does Paul Put Faith, Love, & Hope Together in 1 Thessalonians 1:3?
How Does God Preserve Us Complete in 1 Thessalonians 5:23?
What Does Salvation in Sanctification of the Spirit Mean in 2 Thessalonians 2:13?