For ye remember, brethren, our
labor 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 everyone of you,
as a father doth his children
that ye would walk worthy of God,
who hath called you unto
his kingdom and glory.
1Thessalonians 2:9-12
Paul is speaking to the Thessalonian Church concerning the faithful discharge of the office of ministry and this concern was to appeal to them to also be faithful in their ministry to which they had been called. Every Christian has a particular calling and in their particular relations, therefore Paul is reminding them of their duty and exciting them to be faithful in their duty and calling and quickening them in their performance of this duty. How affectionate does Paul remind them for he does this as a father, as a father would do the same to their children. We can learn much from this by Paul for he uses persuasion, encouragement, and even commands. This call to our duty is not just for pastors or Church leaders, it is for all Christians for all are called and all have a ministry. Authentic Christians are those who walk worthy of the kingdom or God, for it is God who called them, us, into His kingdom. This is the Gospel, it is God who called you, it is God who has given freely salvation, and an eternal home with Him and it is this message of the Gospel that we are to preach, to teach, to speak to others about. This is a great privilege to be called by God into this work. Peter reminds us: "Wherefore brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2Peter 2:10). What things? Peter wrote before: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity" (2Peter 2:5-7).
There is work to be done by each and every one of us and that work begins with us so that we can be a faithful and trusty worker for God. We are not to be apathetic, just to be a Christian, just to have this hope, no, we are to be proactive, intentional witness for God and for Jesus Christ who saves. Are you being an intentional Christian for the truth? If so, then you can join with those Paul was commending: "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" (1Thessalonians 2:13).
Do you believe? If so then put all aside that are taking up the priority above being a witness, an ambassador for God, and put God in the highest position and priority of you life. This is your calling, make your election sure by working with God, not for Him, but with Him. It is God first, God in the middle and God in the last. Our time on earth is short but our time in heaven with God is eternal. Our home is not here, this is only temporary, we have been called into His kingdom, therefore live as what you have been called to be: a child of God, the bride of Jesus Christ. There is no higher calling, no work more important. Be intentional, be a witness towards God.
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greaer,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His Mercy
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His Love has no limit: His grace has no measure;
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again
Annie Johnson Flint
God is your Strength
Richard L. Crumb
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