After being
mistreated in Philippi, Paul the apostle and his companions were bold
to share the gospel with the people in Thessalonica. Even though Paul
and his friends encountered trouble and difficulty for their sharing,
they shared the “good news” of salvation through Jesus Christ
with the Thessalonians without “deceit, uncleanness and guile”.
In chapter two and verse four of his letter, Paul shared how his goal
was to “please God” rather than men as he declared the
gospel with the people in Thessalonica where we read:
But as we
were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we
speak;
not as
pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.
The
verse begins, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust
with the gospel, even so we speak;” Paul began with the word,
“But” which is a disassociation conjunction which means
“nevertheless, notwithstanding, with exception, rather and
moreover” “as we were allowed” or “tested, examined,
proved, scrutinized, approved and deemed worthy” “of God”
which refers to “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God
the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “to be put in
trust” or “think to be true, persuaded of, credited and put
in confidence” “with the gospel” which means “good
tidings or good news concerning salvation through Jesus Christ and
the proclamation of the grace of God manifested and pledged in
Christ” “even so we speak” or “utter a voice or emit a
sound using the tongue to articulate and talk”. Paul knew it was
“God” who gave him permission to declare His “good
news”, and Paul carried out the commission to do as God “allowed”.
The
verse goes on to say, “not as pleasing men, but God,
which tries our hearts.” Paul
went on to add, “not as pleasing men”
or “to accommodate one's self to the opinions desires and
interests of others” “but
God” which refers to “the
Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the
Son and the Holy Spirit” “which tries”
or “tests, examines, proves and scrutinizes” “our
hearts” which means “the
soul, mind and emotions as they are the fountain and seat of the
thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes,
endeavors”. When we consider the Lord God Almighty knows every
aspect to our being we understand no one knows us as He does, and our
attention must be toward “pleasing”
Him and not other people.
When
we think through these words, we understand Paul's realization that
God “permitted” and “tested” him with the “good news” of
Jesus Christ, and rather than seeking to “please” people
with his words, he sought to “please God”. The difference
is the focus of his attention. Too many times those who declare the
gospel are afraid of what people may think or say to them if they
share God's “good news” rather than remembering that it is
God who is the ultimate judge. This was not the case with Paul, and
he often suffered at the hands of people for it. If we were to be
examined for our motives in sharing the gospel, what would the
results be? Would we be indited for “pleasing God” or
“pleasing men”? The “good news” of Jesus Christ
is worthy of casting aside all resistance and retribution people may
give us, and as we realize there is only one judge who sits upon the
eternal throne, “Jesus Christ”, we will know there is no one
better to please than Him.
Next
time Paul shares about using “flattering words”,
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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