Paul
told the Thessalonians they received the “word
of God” as though it was from God Himself
and not just from men, and he encouraged them by mentioning the way
they “became followers of the churches of
God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus”.
They also had “suffered like things of”
their “own countrymen, even as they have
of the Jews”, and in chapter two and verse
fifteen of his letter, Paul gave examples of the way the Jews “killed
Jesus, their own prophets and have persecuted”
them:
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:
The
verse begins, “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their
own prophets, and have persecuted us;” Paul
began with the words, “Who both killed”
which refers to the Jews who “destroyed, extinguished, abolished
and inflicted mortal death against” “the Lord Jesus”
who is “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he
has power of deciding; the master” whose name means “Jehovah is
Salvation and is the Messiah” “and their own prophets”
or “ones who, moved by the Spirit of God and hence their organ or
spokesman, solemnly declare to men what they have received by
inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular
such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human
salvation” “and have persecuted” or “driven out,
banished, pursued, and oppressed with calamities” “us”
which refers to Paul and his companions. In order to relate to the
hardship which the Thessalonians endured, Paul used personal
persecution and the Jews killing Jesus and their prophets to
demonstrate his depth of understanding.
The
verse goes on to say, “ and they please not God, and are
contrary to all men:” Paul went on to add, “and they
please” or “are agreeable with or accommodate one's self to
the opinions, desires and interests of others” “not God”
which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity comprised of God
the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “and are
contrary” which means “over against, opposite, as an
adversary, hostile and antagonistic in feeling or act” “to all
men” or “to each, every, and everyone who are human beings
whether male or female”. The actions of these who killed Jesus and
their prophets as well as persecuted Paul and his comrades did not
“please” God, and they were in such a state they were
opposed to every person who lived.
When
we think about Paul's words, we know for certain we do not want to be
a part of this group. So many times people believe they are in the
right direction and are actually “opposed” not only to people,
but also to God Himself. We must seek to “please” the Lord
in all our ways, and if we are opposed to ways different than ours,
let us be certain we align with God's ways. These of whom Paul writes
believed themselves to be “right” by killing Jesus and the
prophets of old as well as persecuting Paul and his men, yet, they
were not so. Let us bow our hearts and minds before the Lord Jesus
and ask Him to reveal to us any way in which we do not “please”
Him and are contrary to people just for adversity's sake.
Next
time Paul writes concerning those who forbad Paul and his companions
“to speak to the Gentiles”,
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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