1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
For our appeal is neither out of an error nor out of
uncleanliness nor in deception. But
rather, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel
thus we speak. Not as while being
pleasing to men but to the God who approves our hearts.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that his appeal comes from
God. Paul wasn’t appointed by human
beings to go out and perform this ministry.
Paul wasn’t commissioned by others to do this work. Paul was anointed by God to go and do what he
is doing. This is crucial to any
ministry. If we are doing it by any
other authority except by God, are we really doing ministry for the right
reason?
For whom do you do ministry?
By whose authority do you do ministry?
Second Thought:
If we are in God’s authority, then we
will not be in error or uncleanliness or deception. The way to stay clear of ritual impurity is
to be in God. The way to be speaking
into people’s lives in the honesty of God and not the selfishness of
self-serving advice is to be in God.
When we are seeking our own glory and our own benefit, we will be in
error. But if our focus is in God’s
authority, we can be safe.
When have you been guilty of being in
error when people trusted you? How can
you avoid being in error and instead be in the purity of God?
Third Thought:
Having come this far, Paul leaves us
with a very concrete point. It isn’t
just a matter of authority. We don’t
just act out of God’s authority. We also
seek God’s approval. Or at least we
should. I know I sometimes am guilty of
making decisions based on getting the approval of the people around me. But that isn’t where I should be in
perspective. It is about acting under
God’s authority so as to be likewise under God’s approval.
Whose approval are you seeking? Do you find it easy or difficult to be
content in God’s approval?
Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 2:5-8
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