Saturday Devotional
“For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a faither with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
If you read the Acts study over the break, you may remember in chapter 17 where Paul (with Silas) visits Thessalonica and boldly shares the gospel with them, even though he is quickly persecuted there. Evidently some number of people “were persuaded” to follow Jesus that day, out of the Jews and “devout Greeks and ... leading women” (Acts 17:4), and they formed a church. In this passage in his letter to that church, Paul explains his postures and attitudes as he ministered to the Thessalonians. This passage is not prescriptive (explicitly giving us instructions to follow) but descriptive (simply telling what happened). But we can still follow Paul’s example, as disciples and disciple-makers, because of the fruit he reports in his relationship with them (and in their relationship with Jesus) throughout the letter.
The verses above are a very practical section of Paul’s writing to learn from. In the passage, he highlights several of his attitudes toward disciple-making which, by God’s grace, made his visit “not in vain” (v. 1). First, in vv. 3-4, comes the motivation from the heart: the ministers were not presenting information to make their message more appealing, or seeking human approval. Likewise, their goal wasn’t to receive any compensation (vv. 5-6), but to share the gospel, to which they were faithful even at personal cost (v. 9). That compensation might have been actual money; but in our lives, it could be the hope that people see us as intelligent, or friendly/personable, or as authoritative. But Paul was not (and we should not be) motivated by any reputation: “We speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (v. 4).
The other main features to point out, in the context of discipleship, are the two contrasting metaphors Paul uses of “a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (v. 7) and “a father with his children” (v. 11). With the Thessalonians, Paul was “gentle” and “affectionately desirous” to win them over to Christ by his pure conduct and care. Yet at the same time, he “exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God.” In discipleship, and in relation between Christians generally, both dynamics are necessary for growth. We must care for and support each other with Jesus’ love; but at the same time, we must not neglect to challenge each other and call out our brothers and sisters when they are in sin.
The gospel is a beautiful illustration of both of these concepts. On our own, we are dead in sin; but ultimately we can’t just “work hard” to win our way back into God’s favor. Instead, we need to rely on God, in faith, to save us through the sacrifice that Jesus made: his death on the cross—a sacrifice he made, even while we were still sinners, because his love for us is so great. Through faith in that good news, God counts us as clean and free from sin. But to grow closer to our perfect Creator, we still must be “transformed” (Romans 12:1-2) to be more like Jesus, so that our relationship with him as Lord can prosper. Jesus the perfect example of the characteristics Paul describes in the “nursing mother” and the “father with his children” (see Matt. 23:37 and Hebrews 12:9-11). Praise God that he doesn’t just do one or the other, but both!
Reflection:
Take a moment to reflect on those in your life who have helped to win you over to Christ or grow in your relationship with him. Thank God for those people. How have their gentleness and boldness helped you?
Which of the qualities mentioned above (taking care of / boldness in exhortation) is hardest for you, in your relationships with other followers of Jesus? With unbelievers? Pray to God in repentance for any shortcomings there. Ask for growth in those weaker areas.
Which of these qualities comes most easily to you? How can you use them to build up the body of Christ this semester in your discipleships and friendships?