Being bold for Christ

I Thess 2:2-6 2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness; God is witness.6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

Paul’s boldness for the gospel of Christ did not come from a desire to please men or even to meet his own needs. Paul preached and spoke with boldness because he was convinced with all power and conviction that he was pleasing to Jesus. We do not hear much of the word conviction any more. We, in fact, are sneered at or called names because Christ-followers hold to their convictions. Christ-followers do not care about political correctness, or the worldly definition of tolerance. We have to follow Jesus at all cost and without deviation. Yes, we all fall short of the glory of God; however, we do not stay fallen. We as Christians are driven and propelled by our need and desire to please our God.

If my God tells me to believe in a certain way and I refuse to obey His teaching I am sinning. Paul says, “not as pleasing men”. We do not preach and teach to make the masses happy or comfortable. We preach and teach the words of God because we sincerely believe that we must obey our God. And in His words are the words of life. Just because a message is not popular in our society does not make that word null and void. Does the word of God make you uncomfortable? Good, for it should. The gospel is called a stumbling block for a good reason, and some will reject its message. As Paul was not afraid to proclaim the message of his God (because he feared God more then men), we as Christ-followers need to Preach the gospel with conviction.

Digging Deeper - 2 Cor 3:10-14

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: Isaiah 56-58 New Testament I Thess. 3