Today in God’s Word

Today in God's Word—February 2023

East Tallassee Church of Christ

February 4, 1 Thessalonians 2

A good detective looks for the motive that drove a suspect to commit a crime. Whether we’re inspired or disturbed by someone’s behavior, we try to understand the motive behind their conduct. Since we admire the apostle Paul so much for his zeal and effectiveness as a servant of Christ, it might help us imitate him if we understood not only what he did, but why he did it. There are some clues in today’s portion.

Three of the seven times the unusual phrase “gospel of God” occurs in the New Testament are found in this passage. What Paul did with that gospel and the reasons why he did it are here for those willing to look.

Paul wanted to please God so much that he was bold to declare the gospel of God despite mistreatment and conflict. If Paul had been trying to deceive his listeners or if he had been preaching to please people, it would not have been worth the pain and shame he experienced as an apostle of Christ. But he was driven by deeper, purer motives than greed or personal glory.

Paul loved the people he taught so much that he was ready to share not only the gospel of God with them, but himself as well. He described his tender feelings for his converts by comparing his gentleness with them to a mother’s care for her own children. Mothers exhibit sacrificial, unselfish love for their children, and Paul had just that sort of affection for the people he taught. He wanted what was best for them, and was willing to sacrifice for them to have it. His converts were his hope, joy and crown as

he anticipated the return of Jesus and standing before him in judgment.

Paul sought the glory of God in everything. That’s why he proclaimed the gospel like a father guiding his children. With just the right blend of encouragement and exhortation, he charged them to live in a way that reflected the glory of their call into God’s kingdom.

Paul’s intense loyalty to God, his love for others and his pursuit of God’s glory produced authentic preaching that moved his hearers to accept the message as the word of God, not just Paul’s words.

Paul looked beyond the present material world to the spiritual reality. He saw Satan’s hand in the hindrances he encountered as he made and matured disciples of Jesus. Such formidable opposition requires the very best effort, backed by the highest, most noble motives.

Would you agree with me that we sometimes need to check our motives for doing what we do as servants of Christ? When our efforts lack enthusiasm or if we ever wonder why we’re trying to serve him, we need to make sure we truly want to please God more than anything. We need to gauge our love for the people around us, and make sure we want all the glory to be God’s.

From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.