Election: The initial stroke of the letter identified the senders and the recipients (v.1). The second stroke is more prominent and is one of thanksgiving. The trio was thankful to God for the Thessalonians (v.2); they acknowledged God's choice to save them from their sin. His election looms large in both Testaments (Num. 16:7; Dt. 4:37; 2 Sam. 6:21; Jn. 6:70, 15:19). It is also expressive of His eternal purpose for salvation (Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9). God's eternal purpose is an overflow of His grace which He lavishes upon us before we could do anything good or bad (Eph. 1:7-8; Rom. 9:11). Because of His choice, we are deemed to be His beloved (1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13; Col. 3:12). Yet, His saving love is only applied through the proclamation and reception of the Gospel.

Gospel: The Gospel is the saving message of Jesus Christ which tells how God accomplishes His divine purpose of election. Jesus is the word that became flesh (John 1:14) to save sinners (Luke 19:10; Rom. 5:9-10; 1 Tim. 1:15) who believe in Him (John 3:18; Acts 16:31; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). The trio saw the power to save in the message rather than the messengers (1 Thess. 1:5; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:23-24). They also understood the Holy Spirit to be the One who applies the saving power of God's message (v.5) as He made known the truth of Jesus (John. 16:14). A Gospel-centered life becomes the consequence for every Christian. This Gospel-centered life manifests a work of faith, a labor of love, plus a steadfastness of hope in Christ (v.3). The Gospel affects our lives in the present as we hope for its fulfilment in the future (1 Tim. 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:3; 1 Cor. 15:19). The Gospel that saves is threaded in every moment of our lives.