The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6,
"For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority."
Paul presented the gospel to the folks in Thessalonica, to both Jews and Gentiles. As he did so, it was "in the face of strong opposition." Verse 2. We know that opposition followed Paul from Philippi to Thessalonica and sought the support from the locals who would listen to them there. I have to think the opposition had to address Paul's motivation for bringing this new teaching of the gospel to these parts if it was bogus.
If Paul was actually energized and empowered by God to preach the gospel, it would explain why Paul was there doing what he was. If he wasn't representing God, why would he be evangelizing the area? What was his purpose? Paul's opponents would have to address Paul's motivation if they wanted to gain traction in their opposition to Paul in the minds and hearts of those in Thessalonica. Not only was there a need to point to what they considered error in the gospel Paul preached, there was likewise a need to explain why Paul was preaching the gospel if it was a sham.
What fascinates me is that the issues raised by those who opposed Paul point to the very same things we see around us today. As Paul presents his defense in this letter, we can see what Paul was accused of. When Paul claims he was not trying to please people, but God, as he brought the gospel to Thessalonica, he is saying that he was not trying to establish a following for himself. Just as there are preachers today who appear to be more concerned with the size of their following, their influence among a broad group of people, and the fame it all brings, so Paul was accused of it. Unfortunately, I suspect there are not as many today with the sincerity of purpose Paul had when preaching the gospel. The gospel is legitimate and true, and so were Paul's motivations.
When Paul says he did not "put on a mask to cover up greed", I have to think he was responding to an accusation of bringing this new gospel message in an effort to fleece the folks financially. In other words, he was accused of something he had observed in others at another time in speaking of those with a corrupt mind, "who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain." 1 Timothy 6:5. Again, here is an accusation that is as fresh today as it was in Thessalonica then. Preachers who preach out of avarice, preachers who attempt to separate people from their money. Again, I suspect there are not as many today with the sincerity of purpose Paul had when preaching the gospel.
"For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority."
Paul presented the gospel to the folks in Thessalonica, to both Jews and Gentiles. As he did so, it was "in the face of strong opposition." Verse 2. We know that opposition followed Paul from Philippi to Thessalonica and sought the support from the locals who would listen to them there. I have to think the opposition had to address Paul's motivation for bringing this new teaching of the gospel to these parts if it was bogus.
If Paul was actually energized and empowered by God to preach the gospel, it would explain why Paul was there doing what he was. If he wasn't representing God, why would he be evangelizing the area? What was his purpose? Paul's opponents would have to address Paul's motivation if they wanted to gain traction in their opposition to Paul in the minds and hearts of those in Thessalonica. Not only was there a need to point to what they considered error in the gospel Paul preached, there was likewise a need to explain why Paul was preaching the gospel if it was a sham.
What fascinates me is that the issues raised by those who opposed Paul point to the very same things we see around us today. As Paul presents his defense in this letter, we can see what Paul was accused of. When Paul claims he was not trying to please people, but God, as he brought the gospel to Thessalonica, he is saying that he was not trying to establish a following for himself. Just as there are preachers today who appear to be more concerned with the size of their following, their influence among a broad group of people, and the fame it all brings, so Paul was accused of it. Unfortunately, I suspect there are not as many today with the sincerity of purpose Paul had when preaching the gospel. The gospel is legitimate and true, and so were Paul's motivations.
When Paul says he did not "put on a mask to cover up greed", I have to think he was responding to an accusation of bringing this new gospel message in an effort to fleece the folks financially. In other words, he was accused of something he had observed in others at another time in speaking of those with a corrupt mind, "who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain." 1 Timothy 6:5. Again, here is an accusation that is as fresh today as it was in Thessalonica then. Preachers who preach out of avarice, preachers who attempt to separate people from their money. Again, I suspect there are not as many today with the sincerity of purpose Paul had when preaching the gospel.
In short, I do believe there are many hustlers out there, in local churches, on Christian TV and radio who could be legitimately accused of the kinds of things Paul was in his mission work. Where Paul was entirely innocent of these accusations, I suspect many are not in our day. Many today are guilty of the very things articulated by Paul's opponents two millenia ago.
I find it interesting that some things never change, and that often times those who would oppose our sincere and genuine efforts at preaching the gospel will often accuse us of things that may be of legitimate concern, thanks to the foul motives of others who use the gospel as a vehicle to achieve their own selfish ends.
But, no matter. The gospel remains as powerful today as it was in Paul's. As we continue to promote the message we find God continues to build his kingdom out of those who respond in faith.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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