1 Thess. 2:5-10

                                  opportunity

What tactics do you use when you want to get people to do something?  _____________________________________________________________________ 

Paul lays out for us his four typical tactics from which Christians should depart:

1.        Flattering words:  manipulating people by using words which are insincere, but will make them feel good, and be more likely to comply with our wishes.

2.        Cloak for covetousness:  using the gospel message, or spiritual authority for the sake of securing personal gain and/or profit. 

3.        Glory from men:  speaking and behaving in a way that obtains the approval and praise of other people.

4.        Demands as apostles:  using seniority, vast or intimate experience as a license for control over other people.

Paul’s approach is, and has been over the course of time, proven to render lasting impact.  What is that approach?  Sincere love.  What does this look like, and how does it compare to the above list?  It is:

       1.  Gentle:  this is the kind of gentleness that is symbolized by a nursing mother cherishing her own children.

       2.  Sharing the Gospel:  GOOD news is what is imparted to those who will listen

       3.  Sharing own lives:  remaining open and accessible to any and all who desire to draw near for the sake of learning and knowing more of the Lord Jesus.

       4.  Laboring so as not to be a burden:  not assuming that others can and will be able to cover our physical needs, but taking responsibility and using our strength to provide what we can

This latter list can be summarized as devout, just, and blameless.  These behaviors are God-focused, receiving grace and giving grace, forgiving and being forgiven.

How would you evaluate your own ways of trying to motivate people?  When it is the end of the day, is your conscience clear regarding how you have interacted with, and treated others?  Which of these lists is more typical of your own behavior?  

Today God is allowing you to live, to breathe, to read this little devotional thought.  You are not set on an island by yourself. He has given you the gift of “today”, and the gift of other people in your life.  It is your choice how you will use this opportunity.  I pray you will be motivated by the sincere love of other people in your life, and that your sincere love will motivate others.

Read and Pray:  Proverbs 26:28, Hebrews 13:5-6, Luke 14:27-28,  Philippians 3:14-17

1 Thess. 2:1-4

                             worth the effort 

Paul’s coming was not in vain.  The Word of God does not become null and void.  Suffering and ill treatment did not stop Paul’s speaking the gospel.

Yet, for us in our American culture, we seem to embrace “easy”, “fast”, and “painless”.  Is this the way of truth?  Though I have pacifist leanings, I cannot deny the warfare terminology found in relation to our spiritual life:

• Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
• No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier
• We do not battle against flesh and blood, but the weapons of our warfare are spiritual…

When we enter the Christian life—accepting a place in God’s family—we are approved by God because of Jesus, and God entrusts us with the message of His love toward other people.  The problem lies in the fact that evil is real and present in our world, it is opposing the goodness and grace of God, and humans have a free will to follow and serve whom and/or what they choose.

            Conflict is part of the package.  I don’t like this reality, but it is not one I can change.  What I can do, is aim to please God.  I can also keep in mind that the conflicts and trials can be used as tools in the process of purifying my heart.  I can keep my focus on loving others rather than focusing on my own comfort or loss of comfort.

            Many times, the things I can do, are not things I would naturally do.  There is a conflict, a struggle, a contending for that which is good and pure and right.  That is why I need people in my life to exhort and encourage me, and I need to be willing to exhort and encourage others.  In Jesus Christ, faith was once and for all delivered to all those who will receive it, but it must be taken up and applied by individual people in order for it to render effect.  We must “contend earnestly for the faith” so that we do not forfeit it.

            How are you receiving the input of those who are exhorting you with the truth?  Are you willing to exhort others for their benefit?  Exhortation is not comfortable, but it is good. Loving exhortation directs one's heart to the gospel of God which brings freedom, hope, joy and peace to all who will receive it.  It is worth the effort!

Read and Pray:  Isaiah 55:11, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 3:12-14, 2 Timothy 2:3-15