Boldness in our God

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. I Thessalonians 2:1-8

Paul knew these Thessalonians well, and they knew him and his fellow ministers. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy wouldn’t have to waste precious time re-introducing themselves, or trying to prove their integrity to this local Church. By way of refreshing their fellowship, Paul shared some memories of their initial ministry to this group. This had been a case of people with positive volition to God’s truth who were waiting for someone to bring them the gospel message. God always has believers who are prepared with the gospel to deliver to those who are waiting to receive it. It is a basic truth of evangelism that God places those who have the Word where there are people who will be receptive to the Word.

Paul and his friends had already received “shameful” treatment in their missionary work. Yet, they were still alive to continue proclaiming the message and nurturing new believers along the way. Their burden was not fear of persecution. They were being persecuted. Paul knew all about this, since he himself had been a persecutor of the Church. Their only burden was the urgent need to proclaim the gospel message wherever God sent them to do that, knowing that the ones who received their message would come under the same conflict. Whether it be from Judaism or from paganism, the gospel of Jesus Christ was resoundingly hated by whatever religion was being practiced in the current culture. If they were trying to please men, they wouldn't be under this kind of pressure. There was nothing to gain from this work, materially. It was thankless work,  except for the pure delight of seeing new believers entering eternally into the Body of Christ, and knowing that that pleased God.

The preachers did not ask anything of the local Church they were serving. They provided for themselves, and did receive some help from older congregations who wanted to support the work, for the same reasons: love of Jesus Christ, love of the brethren and love for the new believers who were being born into Christ. Paul, Silvanus and Timothy didn’t just drop the gospel on them and move on. They stayed around long enough to help the baby believers get acquainted with the Lord they now belonged to, lovingly nurturing them in the doctrines of the Church, like a mother nurtures the children in her care. When we know that someone has believed in and loves the same Lord we do, that creates a familial bond with that person. Even if you don’t know the details of his life, you know him. People who share the same faith think alike and have intimate knowledge of each other’s souls.

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 father 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.

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last! I Thessalonians 2:9-16

“not as the word of men…”  when a human in any culture, in any geographical area, becomes aware of the reality of God (positive volition at God-consciousness), he will be ready then to receive the Word of God when it is accurately presented. He has come to realize the world’s wisdom is not working and he hungers for something substantial to believe. He longs for a sense of peace, a sense of purpose and destiny and definition for his life. He wants to know a reason to live. This is true of people who have grown up among Bible-believers, but who themselves never quite “got” it (people like me); and it is true of people who have been brought up in pagan religion or in atheism. When they realize there is a God, and He is in charge, they are ready to receive the message of Christ’s redemption.

Paul wasn’t seething with anger and hostility toward the Jewish leaders who persecuted him. They were seething with hostility toward him, however, and he simply stated that the Jews displeased God by hindering the efforts to evangelize the Gentiles. This, he said, would bring them to the saturation point of their own sins. That brings God’s wrath upon them “at last”—completely, forever, to the uttermost.

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. I Thessalonians 2:17-20

Paul repeatedly stated to the local Churches under his care his desire to be with them, to fellowship with them, to share with them. That kind of relationship with the Church was his greatest joy in this earthly life, and his greatest hope of accomplishment to claim at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Especially a congregation as faithful and productive as the one at Thessalonica. 

It is good to share in this glowing commendation of these early Christians. They believed. They understood. They endured. They served. They loved. They anticipated the return of Christ with joy. These are our people.