Becoming Fearless Workers For God

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

in trust with the gospel, even so

we speak; not as pleasing men, 

but God, which trieth our hearts.

1Thessalonians 2:1-4

 

     A good leader is one that inspects what he expects and gives encouragement so that an employee will progress and perform according to why he/she was hired. Paul is encouraging the Thessalonians as to their progress in faith and holiness, and does this by reminding them of the manner of his preaching, and behaviour. The Thessalonians received the gospel as the word of God, which then worked in them. Paul was overjoyed by this account and desired even more to come to them. The persecution and suffering of Paul, and other apostles was known to them and yet they never wavered from preaching the Gospel of living actively their faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and in His inspired word. 

     Unlike many "preachers" today, they preach words of acceptance by the hearers so that this word leads them, not unto the Gospel, not to living and manifesting true Gospel, rather that they are having their ears tickled. This is deceitfulness, unclean, filled with much guile. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that this was not the way the Gospel was presented to them for he never wavered from the life that God has led him. Paul and the Apostles were bold in their presentation of the Gospel. There was no worldly design in their preaching, all was for the sake of Jesus Christ. 

     At first the Gospel was met with much contention. There were the Judiaizers, the Gnostics, and add to this within many of the cities Christians were persecuted for their faith. Soon even Rome itself joined in this persecution. This did not stop Paul, or the other Apostles. Franklin Roosevelt first inaugural address (1932) stated: "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days." (Italics mine).

     Sometimes it is easy to be entrapped by fear and often this fear is nameless and not found on reasoning, not rationalization, rather upon reasoning found in God's word. Authentic Christians have the Holy Spirit Who will guide and direct a person so long as that person has as their foundation the Gospel of God and not of man. Victory is not found in numbers. Victory is that a person sets aside themselves, to deny themselves, pick up their cross and follow Jesus Christ. Even when the odds seem to be against you, you are victorious: "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is they sting? O grave, where is they victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abundinb in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that you labour is not in vain in the Lord: *1Corinthians 15:54-58).

     Be an intentional Christian and serve the Lord by taking the Gospel to others. Make time to write letters, to make phone calls, to go and pass out tracts, to prepare to speak the Gospel to anyone who asks (1Peter 3:15). There is time to do things with the family, vacations, dinners, picnics, etc., but we have more to do and that is to bring the Gospel to our world. We are already victorious, our final home is with Jesus Christ eternally, we have no reason to fear.

 

We will shout for joy when you are victorious

   and will lift up our banners in the name of our God 

May the LORD grant all your requests. Now I know that

    the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from

His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.

    Some trust in chariots and some in horses. but we

trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are

     brought to their knees  and fall, but we rise up 

and stand firm. LORD, save the king! Answer us

     when we call.

                 Psalm 20:5-8  

 

Stand Firm For the Faith

 

Richard L. Crumb