You can find a lot to study in these verses but I’m going to comment on
verse 4 in I Thessalonians 2. Go ahead and read verses 1-13 so you will know
the context.
For yourselves, brethren, know our
entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 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. For
our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 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. For neither at any time used
we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor
of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have
been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even
as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we
were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also
our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
For ye remember, brethren, our labour
and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable
unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and
God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you
that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of
you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath
called you unto his kingdom and glory.
For this cause also thank we God
without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of
us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of
God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe I Thessalonians 2:1-13 KJV
Now I want you to read it in another version. I like the King James
Version because it’s easier to look up the Greek meanings of a word, at least for
me.
For you yourselves know, brethren,
that our coming to you was not in vain, but after we had already suffered and
been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to
speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. For our exhortation does
not [come] from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been
approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing
men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech,
as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-- God is witness-- nor did we seek
glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of
Christ we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among
you, as a nursing [mother] tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond
an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel
of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.
For you recall, brethren, our labor
and hardship, [how] working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of
you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and [so is]
God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you
believers; just as you know how we [were] exhorting and encouraging and
imploring each one of you as a father [would] his own children, so that you
would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and
glory.
For this reason we also constantly
thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you
accepted [it] not [as] the word of men, but [for] what it really is, the word
of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. NASB
As I was having my prayer walk with the Lord today, verse 4 really spoke
to me and I knew God wanted me to look at it closer and see how it applies to
my life.
So, after getting busy with other things
- yes I do that too! The Lord gently reminded me as I sat down to turn
on the tv – are you going to sit before me and study that verse I gave you
earlier?
Anyone been there with me? You know it’s from God, you know it will show
you something but you just don’t “feel” like doing it right now and then as
time passes you find yourself in bed going…..awww man I did it again, I let
something the Lord wanted to teach me slip away. Time to repent and pray I don’t
let that happen again – hence my blog today!!
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.
I Thessalonians 2:4 KJV
Let’s look at “we were allowed” in the Strong’s Greek it is #1381 and
reads ‘we have been approved’.
What does it mean to be approved?
#1381 says - properly, to
try (test) to show something is acceptable (real, approved); put to the test to
reveal what is good (genuine).
So they are saying God put them to the test to see if they were genuine,
to show they were real and He found they were and He approved them, He trusted
them with the Gospel.
I believe He tested them to see if they really believed His Word or was
it just lip service. It could also be that God tested Paul and his companions
before the Thessalonians to show them they were approved and genuine.
So when you begin to see these tests in your life, it could be God
testing to see if it’s just lip service or do you really believe His Word.
Once God saw they really believed, He approved them and trusted them to
speak His Word to others. He knew they would not be going to ‘please men’ but
wanted to ‘please God’.
Strong’s Greek #700 - pleasing
to please, winning someone's favor (affection, approval) because meeting
their expectation (especially by being in moral agreement)
He knew they wanted to meet His expectation because He tested them -- ‘testing’ – examining their hearts (which
trieth our hearts).
So I’m hearing the question: Are you using God’s Word to please man, to
get something you want OR are you, in faith, speaking God’s Word to please Him
and give Him the honor?
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.
I Thessalonians 2:4 KJV
Does God see me as trustworthy?
The answer I receive is……………sometimes I do this to please man! And that
needs to change. I can’t change the Word of God to please someone that I’m afraid
of losing. If I lose a friend or family member over their not wanting to live
according to God’s Word it is a sad thing but God will replace them with
someone that desires to live according to His Word and that will honor God and
bring in all kinds of promises from God into my life.
I am not the judge – God did not come into the world to judge it but to
save it – however we will all stand before the Judge in the end. God knows our
motives, He knows our heart, and you can’t hide from Him.
You can sound and act so spiritual and others may not see the darkness of
your heart, the wrong motives, the deceit, the self promotion BUT God does.
I don’t have a full revelation on the ‘allowed of God’ yet but I know He
will reveal it in due time.
The closest thing I can come to is when someone asks me a question or I
have a burning desire to share a Word with someone – I don’t remember what I
said most of the time. I believe that is because it came from God, He trusted
me and allowed me to speak something from His Word into that person’s life. I
give all glory to God when I hear someone walk up and confirm that what I said
they heard too or when the person says it was confirmation to them, because I
know it was God and not me, there was no ‘me trying to please man’ it was me
pleasing God by speaking and believe it was a Word from Him.
When someone tries to buddy up with the Pastor for their own selfish
reasons – God knows it’s not to His glory.
When someone ties to buddy up with someone that has money because they
are hoping to get things from them – God knows and it’s not to His glory.
When we work or volunteer and don’t do it as unto the Lord but for personal
gain – God knows and it’s not to His glory.
When someone goes to church to have their children babysat and they don’t
stay or listen to the teaching – God knows and it’s not to His glory.
When someone goes to church to try and impress the opposite sex instead
of to honor God – He knows………I could go on and on so let’s check our motives –
before you start ‘speaking’ ask am I doing this for man or for God?
I know there are times, and it can be hard, I have to take a step back
and seek forgiveness from God because my motives are not pure. I am seeking to
please someone other than God.
I want Him to trust me to speak His Word. I want to see Him moving and
brining salvation, restoration, healing, provision, peace, joy, etc. I don’t
want to get in the way because I can do nothing without Him.
And how exciting when you see people believe the Word of God.
For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the
word of God which you heard from us, you accepted [it] not [as] the word of
men, but [for] what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work
in you who believe. NASB
Lord God, I ask that your forgive me for all the times I have been
selfish in my sharing of Your Word, in the things I have done to show ‘me’ off
instead of You. For the times I wanted to ‘please’ someone other than you, for
the times I wanted people to see who I was with so they would think higher of
me. I could be with no one greater than You Lord!
Thank You Father, that you are showing me how to be tested by You so I’m
allowed to speak what You want me to speak for Your glory not mine. Thank You
that by Your testing it shows me areas of darkness that needs cleansed by Your
Light and that is something to rejoice about because then I become more like
You and Your Light in me will attract and save people. Your Word will perform its
work in those who believe.
In Jesus Name, Amen
