November 15, 2019

BIBLE READING: I Thessalonians 2

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts

“OUR ENTRANCE……WAS NOT IN VAIN”
No effort is ever in vain when the gospel of God is proclaimed. When giving the gospel is the purpose, it is always worth it. Things might not have always been easy for Paul as he traveled and proclaimed the gospel, but it was not in vain.

“WE WERE BOLD IN OUR GOD”
I will tell you this, it is not always easy to share the gospel. There are many things that come against you, but the worst is our own flesh and fear. We can feel awkward, we can feel intimidated, and we can feel embarrassed. Paul said the way he overcame that was not just by being bold, but by being “bold in our God”. Being bold might not come natural to you but being bold in our God can be possible in you. Paul said even though there was much contention from the people he was sharing the gospel with, Paul chose to be bold in his God.

“WE WERE ALLOWED OF GOD TO BE PUT IN TRUST WITH THE GOSPEL”
Wow. What a convicting statement. Did you realize that you and I have been trusted with the gospel also? We have been trusted with something precious that we are responsible to share with others. Even if that is not pleasing to men, this verse tells us it is pleasing to God. So, I do not want to spend my life in vain. I want it to matter and to accomplish something. Paul said the way to do that is be bold in our God and share the precious gospel of God that we have been trusted with. That is “pleasing” the Lord with your life.