Pleasing To God

Christian Commitment
in Today's World
1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (The Message)
^1-2So, friends, it's obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn't slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God's Message to you, defiant of the opposition.

No Hidden Agendas

 ^3-5God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.  ^6-8Even though we had some standing as Christ's apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren't aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.
 ^9-12You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.

 For Reflection

Evangelize.  Not something I do easily.  Going door to door?  Can't see myself doing that.  Engaging others in conversations about God?  Yeah, I've done that. Worked beside others to help them and provide an opportunity for God's grace flow through me. Oh yeah.  I am quite comfortable with that.  Maybe I evangelize more than I think. Maybe I just can't help it!
Each has his or her own way to bear the Gospel.  How comfortable are you to evangelize?

Pray that you become so committed to God that you become a living testament to his power and grace.  Pray that God will use you.  Pray that you will give in to God when He presents opportunities to bear the Gospel.  Pray that you become mindful of the qualities of sharing the Gospel