Pleasing to God

June 13, 2010

Background Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2
Lesson Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1 – 13

Today’s lesson continues this month’s emphasis on the nature of Christian commitment. In this lesson we focus on the aspect of individual commitment that is pleasing to God. This is what Paul claimed as the primary motivation for him and his companions during their time of ministry in Thessalonica. Paul briefly reminded the church of the suffering and persecution that had driven them out of Philippi to Thessalonica at the beginning of their ministry to them. He further reminded them of their behavior in the presence of the Thessalonians during the time of ministry. They behaved themselves righteously in spite of the persecution they had endured knowing that it would bring the same response in that region. Furthermore, the apostle and his helpers did not impose upon the Thessalonians in any other way except to share the truth of God’s word with them. Their behavior was not out of pride or to boast before the Thessalonians. They simply did what God required of them. They worked night and day to minister the word of God to the Thessalonians. This was not done for self glory but to establish a clear conscious that they had labored so that they could not be charged with having neglected their responsibility in ministry. Again, the only one they had to answer to was God and they would be able to do so with a clear conscious.

As we reflect on the lesson passage, how many of us would inconvenience ourselves or otherwise put ourselves in harm’s way to fulfill the ministry God has assigned for us to do? It is much easier to talk, sing, and shout Christianity than it is to live it. Yet, if we are going to have a commitment that is pleasing to God, it will depend on what we do in faith and nothing else. This type of commitment requires that we mix what we know and believe with faith that God is going to see us through. Are you convinced that God will see you through whatever obstacles you are faced with in fulfilling your commitment in ministry? How has faith been a part of your ministry commitment? The bible is clear that we cannot please God without faith. We can make the grandest verbal commitment and perhaps even accomplish some worthwhile goals. But if we fail to have faith in God in the midst of it all, we will not be able to please God. Paul and his team would no doubt have found it impossible to run from persecution and then act in a way that they knew would bring more persecution if they had failed to trust God to see them through it. No amount of self pride or accolades from others would suffice to convince us to put ourselves in harm’s way for the sake of ministry. Only faith in God and the desire to please God could motivate Paul and his companions to press on in their service. Although we don’t know persecution today as they suffered then, we still have a desire to please God and therefore must rely on our faith even as they relied on theirs.

Robert C. Hudson
June 4, 2010

Visible for God

June 6, 2010

Background Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1
Lesson Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1

“May the works that I have done speak for me” has become an old Christian adage. Truer words could not be uttered. Many will remember our actions long after they have forgotten anything that we might have said. In spite of this, we still tend to talk more than we work. Nevertheless, when someone shares the sum total of our life with someone else, it will undoubtedly reflect more of our actions than our words. This is even more so for Christians. We often become targets for those who are convicted by their own consciences and would rather spend time criticizing others than correcting their own situations or addressing their own problems. There is sometimes an endless comparison of one’s words and works in search of hypocrisy. People can seem relentless in trying to see if we misstep or misspeak so that our humanity can be displayed and somehow used against us. It doesn’t always matter to others that we might misspeak as long as we do not misstep. Perhaps this is even as God would have it to be. After all, Jesus emphasized the importance of actions that flow from a pure heart. Yet we are still human and Christians do misspeak as well as misstep. As we mature in Christ, we learn that our daily struggle involves wrestling with our own flesh and striving to strengthen the spirit man within. Only when the Spirit of Christ in us is allowed to lead and guide our actions do we have the hope of success in our everyday walk. Our actions will never reflect Christ’s directions as long as we attempt to use our own strength to bring it about. It is this faith walk that Christians are called to engage in daily. It is while we walk that God brings us into the work of ministry. These are the works that matter because they serve as visible examples to others of the faith that is within us. That is the subject of our lesson today.

One of the themes of Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica shows Paul’s concern for the faith of the Christians at Thessalonica. Paul was in harmony with James in the belief that a Christian’s faith should be manifest by works rather than words. The Thessalonians’ works did not justify them before God but it did stand as a testimony of their faith before man. This was clearly evidenced in that the Thessalonians’ faith in God was widely known even beyond the provinces of Macedonia and Achaia. This reputation must have come from the observation of people’s lifestyles and not their philosophies. Apparently, the Thessalonians had believed to the point of trusting Christ to direct their lives. They did not have to brag about their belief because it showed up in their actions. Paul recognized that their lifestyle had become their testimony and he commended them for it. In fact, in some regions, Paul and his companions did not have to speak because the reputation of the Thessalonians communicated for them. The Thessalonians were not closet Christians as many were then and still are today. They openly lived what they professed and others saw it and spoke of it throughout the region and beyond.

Robert C. Hudson
May 31, 2010