As Paul
continued his letter to the Thessalonians, he included words which
reminded them of not only his sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ
with them, but also demonstrating it through he and his entourage's
behavior. Paul and those with him had such a deep love and concern
for the people they would have “imparted their own souls”
unto them if the occasion were to arise, and they labored and
travailed among them so as to support themselves and not be
burdensome to the people as well. In chapter two and verse ten of his
letter, Paul referred to living “holy, just and unblameable”
among the Thessalonicans as a further example of he and his team's
care for them where we read:
You are
witnesses, and God also,
how holily and justly and unblameably
we behaved
ourselves among you that believe:
The
verse begins, “You are
witnesses, and God also,...”
Paul began
with the words, “You are witnesses”
which is the Greek word “martys”
from
which we get our English word “martyr” and means “a recorder”
“and God also”
which refers to “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God
the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul drew upon the
witness and testimony of not only the church members in Thessalonica,
but also God Almighty who observed their behavior as well.
The
verse goes on to say, “...how holily and justly and
unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:” Paul
continued, “how holily”
which means “piously” “and justly”
or “agreeably, properly, as is right, uprightly and agreeable to
the law of rectitude” “and unblameably”
which means “without cause for censure” “we behaved
ourselves” or “became, came
into existence, began to be, pass and happen” “among
you” which refers to “the
Thessalonian church members” “that believe”
or “think to be true, are persuaded of, put credit and confidence
in the fact that Jesus or God is able to aid either in
obtaining or in doing something”.
Paul and his companions' behavior became another example of their
deep concern and care for the Thessalonians. They were intentionally
“pious, upright and without cause of censure” so as to insure the
Thessalonians made no mistake about their intentions.
When
we think through Paul's words, we admire his well thought out plan
for not only sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, but also living it
out before those with whom he shared. So often people see a “sermon”
with greater interest than hear one, and if the demonstration doesn't
match the words, the demonstration prevails. Paul knew it was
important to live in a “holy, just and unblameable” manner before
the Thessalonicans so as to be consistent with what he shared. His
example should be a challenge to us to “walk the walk” and not
just “talk the talk” as we live as Christians in this world. Let
us remember, people often declare, “your actions speak so loudly
that we cannot hear a word you are saying”, and may their
declaration be our motivation to live in a manner that is not only
pleasing to them, but also to Almighty God.
Next
time Paul shares how he “exhorted, comforted and charged
every one of” the Thessalonian
church members, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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