1 Thessalonians 2:1-3 NKJV
“1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.”
There are times in our Christian walks when we are sharing
with others the truth of the gospel that we will be opposed, sometimes
strongly, by those who do not believe what we do, and who do not practice what
we do. Jesus faced this on a consistent basis by many who opposed what he
taught, and what he practiced, with which they did not agree. And he defended
himself. And Peter and John faced the same, even being told that they had to
stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus to which they responded..
“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20 NKJV
The apostle Paul, in his years of ministry, faced enormous
rebuke and persecution because many people disagreed with what he was teaching.
And so he was beaten, stoned, left for dead, falsely arrested on false charges
and held as a prisoner for many years. And there were multiple times, which are
recorded for us in the Scriptures, where he came to his own defense. Why? In
defense of the truth of the gospel and for the salvation of human lives, and so
that the people would not believe the lies and turn from the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 2:4-9 NKJV
“4But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.”
So many people today who profess faith in Jesus Christ,
including many (or most) pastors of churches here in the USA, are teaching a
diluted, altered, and softened version of “the gospel” in order to please other
humans and in order to keep the people coming back for more of the same. So
many have removed God’s requirements for repentance and obedience to God, or
else they have just made them optional, while they are teaching that we can be
saved and on our way to heaven based off a verbal confession of faith only.
But Paul declared that he and the other apostles did not
speak in order to please other people. They did not use flattering words, nor
did they appease human flesh and give an open door for people to keep on in
deliberate and habitual sin. Their exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness,
nor was it in deceit. They were straight up with the people in declaring to
them the gospel as Jesus himself taught it to the people. For they were not
looking for human approval. They were kind, but they did not appease human
flesh.
1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 NKJV
“10You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”
They were men of integrity, honesty, and uprightness who
taught the people the truth. They were holy, righteous, and faultless in their
conduct toward the people. And, like a loving father who treats his children in
a loving manner, they encouraged, exhorted, and urged the people that they
should walk (in conduct, in lifestyle) in a manner worthy (suitable, fitting,
proper) of God, who calls us into his own kingdom and glory. And this would be
living in righteousness, holiness, honesty, faithfulness, integrity, and moral
purity.
For Jesus Christ taught that to come to him we must deny
self, take up our cross daily (die daily to sin), and follow (obey) him. For if
we hold on to living in sin and for self, we will lose our lives for eternity.
But if we deny self, die daily to sin, by the Spirit, and we walk in obedience
to our Lord and to his commands, in his power, then we have eternal life with
God. For not everyone who calls him “Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but the one DOING (obeying) the will of God (see Luke 9:23-26; Matthew
7:21-23).
So, don’t shrink back from speaking the truth of God’s Word
to the people out of fear of how they might treat you in return. Be loving, be
kind, but be truthful and bold in sharing what Jesus and his apostles taught
the people.
[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts
26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans
8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1
Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians
5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14;
Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24;
1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation
3:1-22]
Seek the Lord
Based off Isaiah 55
Musical Instrumentation by Mark
Bradley
An Original Work / July 20, 2012
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love
“Come to Me all you
who thirst; come to waters.
Listen to Me, and
eat what’s good today,
And your soul will
delight in richest of fare.
Give ear to Me, and
you will live.
I have made an
eternal covenant with you.
Wash in the blood of
the Lamb.”
Seek the Lord while
He may be found; call on Him.
Let the wicked
forsake his way, in truth.
Let him turn to the
Lord, and he will receive mercy.
Freely, God pardons
him.
“For My thoughts are
not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My
ways,”
declares the Lord,
our God.
“My word that goes
out of My mouth is truthful.
It will not return
to Me unfulfilled.
My word will
accomplish all that I desire,
And achieve the goal
I intend.
You will go in joy
and be led forth in peace.
The mountains will
burst into song… before you,
And all of the trees
clap their hands.”
In Defense of One’s Own Honor
No comments:
Post a Comment