Seek To Please God And Not Men

I Thessalonians 2:1-8

This week’s Lectionary reading for the New Testament continues in the letter of Paul to the church in Thessalonica.  Prior to coming to the city of Thessalonica Paul and Silas had been brutally beaten and imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40).  When released from prison the two headed to Thessalonica where the Holy Spirit gave them boldness and courage to preach the Gospel there.  They were only able to stay a few weeks, and then they had to flee for their lives from this city, as well.  As Paul penned this letter to them, he reminded the church of this fact (vs. 2).  They didn’t allow fears of beatings or threats of death to keep them from spreading the message of Jesus.  God gave them the strength and courage they needed.

Paul’s message of the Gospel was given in truthfulness, unlike many of the preachers, both of his day and today (vs. 3).  His manner of life was pure, not immoral.  He was authentic, not deceitful.  Paul had suffered much for the sake of the Gospel.  He was not seeking money or fame by means of the Gospel, though many preachers today do.  Many today do not have good or pure motives for preaching the Gospel.  When their impure or financially deceitful motives become evident, the cause of Christ suffers, as we unfortunately see from time to time.  Paul reminded his readers that no one could accuse him of this.

Paul goes on to tell his readers that he seeks to please God in what he does as he preaches the Gospel, and not to please men (vs. 4).  He never changed his message to make it more acceptable to his audience, or to make it politically correct.  Paul didn’t edit his message to please the people, either for fear of more attacks or with his eye on the offering plate.  He spoke the message God gave him without fear, as God’s true messengers have from Old Testament days until now.  A true messenger will seek to please God, not men, and never compromise the truth of the Gospel.

Paul knew he had a responsibility to be honest in all he said and did (vs. 5).  As we spread the Gospel message, as well, we need to be honest and straightforward, not just telling people what they want to hear.  Paul was not a smooth-talking preacher.  He didn’t go around trying to make a good impression just to gain influence.  He never tried to get rich in the ministry or seek personal glory.

When we do some work in the ministry, are we doing it for the praise of men, or to please God?  Paul says in verse 6 that as he went about spreading the message of Jesus Christ he didn’t seek praise from people.  He focused solely on telling the message of salvation in Jesus alone, and not on the impression he was making, good or bad.  He pointed to Jesus, not himself.

Scripture occasionally uses the image of a mother gently caring for her children.  Paul felt like a mother to the Thessalonians and other churches he had established (vs. 7 - 8).   He was like a gentle mother, not a bully.  That’s the way God wants us to be when witnessing, preaching, or teaching God’s Word to others.  He doesn’t want us harshly debating or coercing them, but showing the love and humility of Jesus Christ, gently leading people to Christ (II Timothy 2:24-25).   Paul and Silas were considerate, with a gentle attitude.

Paul modeled Jesus in all he said and did.  Let’s try to follow Paul’s example, and thus be modeling Jesus, as we try to spread His message to others.