1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-8 – For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
THEME OF THE DAY. AN AUDIENCE OF ONE. Let’s start today’s nugget with two questions. They might be uncomfortable. Hope not, but it is possible. And maybe in some readers, highly possible if the world has captured our minds and affections.
First, in the past three days, how often did we think on judgment day standing before the Lord Jesus to give an account for our lives, all areas of our lives? The Bible is very clear about this day and place – For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10). Every New Testament writer addresses the day of the Lord, and that includes judgment. It is a wise Christian who orients his or her life around the day of judgment. We do so not by being afraid but prepared. We won’t be judged for our sins, but we will on how we lived life and who we lived it for. Think often on standing before Jesus, and we won’t be able to point to anyone else. It will be Jesus and us, individually, to give a detailed account for our lives. A wise preacher from another time once said, “This life is all about preparing for the next.” Good counsel.
The next question is tied to the first, and actually, is the way to prepare for the day of judgment. Here it is . . . “Do we live life with a conscious, not always felt, but a conscious awareness of God’s Presence that produces a desire to live all of life for His good pleasure?” Basically, that is the definition of today’s nugget theme – an audience of one. In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul informed the believers in Thessalonica of his affection and commitment to them. Pay attention to the level of affection and commitment – we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children; being affectionately desirous of you. Now the commitment – we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
Paul could be so genuine and transparent to these believers because he was so with his God. It takes a “squeaky clean” life to be able to say, “For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6b). The great Apostle lived before an audience of one. He was concerned with the opinion and judgment of the One who truly mattered – God. The praise or acceptance of people didn’t capture his mind and heart. He was determined to live before God as the only One worthy of complete allegiance. Friends, let’s learn to live daily before an audience of One; the One that truly matters – the Lord Jesus. There is spiritual freedom found in a clear conscience that doesn’t compromise truth out of fear of people or the desire to be approved by people. Yes, an audience of One. It is the only way to enjoy our walks with the Lord.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me to live my life aware of Your Presence and to do all things with an eye to please You.”
QUOTE: “Our day of judgment is going to be individual. Wise is the believer who lives preparing for that day.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim