November 28, 2012 (Matthew 28, 1 Thessalonians 1-3)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For He called you to share in His kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12 NLT
Observation: Paul was not a man that catered to what the people wanted to hear, he spoke the truth to them out of pure love. Many rejected the truth and retaliated against Paul, but he was not deterred. He pleaded, encouraged and urged the Thessalonian church members to live their lives in a manner that God would find worthy. He treated them as a father would treat his own children. He taught them truth as he lived it out before them. He was an example of Christ and urged them to live the same way. He not only shared with them the glory of God, but also the responsibility that comes with receiving God’s wonderful gift.
Application: When was the last time you heard a pastor pleading, encouraging, and urging people to live their lives in a manner that God would find worthy? It seems that message has been replaced with a more popular message of God’s unconditional grace. Living life in a manner that pleases God has become unnecessary and touted as impossible by the modern church. Yet God’s word gives us a completely different instruction. His word says we are to be holy just as He is holy. His word says He overcame, and so can we. His word says we are the head, not the tail. I wonder what would happen if preachers returned to the message and instruction of Paul. What if the focal point of our pleading, encouraging, and urging was turned back to what God would consider worthy, instead of what we consider worthy for our own kingdom’s interest.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that stands truth forevermore. Thank You for the instruction You give that teaches truth and love. Turn my heart back toward You and become again the focal point of my life, in Jesus name, Amen!