1 Thessalonians 2:7-10.  (7) But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.  (8) 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.  (9) For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.  (10) You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

In these words, Paul reminds the Thessalonians of his treatment among them. He mentions the gentleness of their behavior:  We were gentle among you.  He showed the kindness and care of a mother, that cherishes her children. This is the way to win people. The word of God is indeed powerful; and it comes with authority impressing upon the minds of men. Moreover, the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, (2Ti. 2:24).  This gentleness and goodness is expressed in several ways.

First, by showing forth the affectionate desire of their welfare: Being affectionately desirous of you. Paul had an affectionate love for them all, and sought them out; it was their spiritual and eternal welfare and salvation that he was earnestly desirous of.

Second, Paul was ready to do them good, willingly imparting to them, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls.  Notice the manner of Paul’s preaching. He spared no pains here. He was willing to endure hazards, and give his life, in preaching the gospel. He was willing to spend and be spent in the service of men’s souls; and, as those who give bread to the hungry from a loving heart; the apostles did in giving the bread of life.  So dear were these Thessalonians to Paul, and so great was his love to them.

Third, by the holiness of the apostles’ attitude, concerning which he appeals not only to them, but to God also: You are witnesses and God also. They observed their actions in public before men, and God was witness not only of their behavior in secret, but also of the inward principles from which they acted. Their behavior was holy towards God, just towards all men, and un-blamable, and they were careful to give no offence either to those who were without, or to those who believed, do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men, (Act 24:16).  Our conduct toward unbelievers is, as it is with our brothers, to focus on godly living so we set a righteous example in the presence of all people.

Exhort, encourage and testify, common themes whenever Paul taught Christians.  1Th 2:12 we exhorted each one of you, encouraged you, and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.  There are three verbs, very powerful words that express the desire of a father toward his own children.

Exhorting – persuading people to adopt a certain course of action and is applicable to the persuasive words by which Paul wooed and won them to Christ as well as to specific admonitions to godly living following conversion.

Encouraging – we fall short as fathers, teachers if we neglect to encourage those Christians around us.  Nothing is more soul killing and church diminishing than a group of “Christians” who never has any remarks of praise and encouragement for each other.

Testifying – the Greek renders this, “charged.”  Strong word charged is.  When we charge we are going forward, ready to enter the battle, to willingly give up ourselves for the cause of the gospel.

We are Filled!

Rom 8:28-30.  28.  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  29.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  30.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.  Called according to His purpose will include all sufferings, sorrows, infirmities, and everything else of a discouraging nature which might fall upon God’s child on this earth.   “Called according to His purpose” will cause a great purpose in our lives to:

•  Call others by the Gospel (1Cor.15:1-3).
•  Make disciples (Mt.28:19-20) Remain, how?  By teaching them to obey.

The last clause of this great statement of the apostle, (v30) is plainly prophetic, viewing the entire scheme of redemption, from the beginning plan in the purpose of God before the world was created, to the final glory, as a single great design, encompassing within one grand operation the whole of time and temporal things.  God is an Awesome God!  He Reigns in our lives when we truly learn the how and do of Christian living.

Super Conquerors!

Rom. 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

What an appropriate close to this post. Paul tells us here in this single verse in this great chapter of Romans that we are to be more than a conqueror that we are to literally “gain a surpassing victory!”

We are reminded of this in Revelation when we are encouraged to by these words “And I heard the voice from heaven saying, Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.” Rev.14:13. Are this from Rev. 17:14 “These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful. “

Yes, my dear brothers and sisters, the victory has been won by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us move forward, walk worthy, and do all to bring glory to our Father and creator of all things.