1 Thessalonians 2 Part 3 Paul's Godly Character And Our Worthy Walk



1 Thessalonians 2:1-6  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3)  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5)  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness: 6)  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 

The apostle Paul had a special bond of love for the Christians at Thessalonica. He felt free to share with them about the suffering he endured in bringing the gospel to them. 

He was greatly blessed by the sincere profession of faith in Christ and how these believers trusted Jesus and obeyed the gospel.

Paul reemphasized his godly ministry in contrast to the Judaizers and false teachers who were envious, or sought to enrich themselves.

He also showed his heart toward them by not making any demands that a poorer church should support him. 

Paul would rather work with his hands making tents to support himself, than to impose a financial hardship upon them. 

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8)  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 

Instead of imposing apostolic authority upon the church, Paul loved them and was like a tender nurse or parent caring for a newborn baby. 

He fed them with God's pure, unadulterated truth and gave them good Christian guidance. Paul patiently helped the Thessalonians to be grounded in the scriptures as they began to grow in their faith.  

Paul showed them with his own godly example how the Lord wants each of us to walk with Him through our earthly pilgrimage. 

He deeply cared for the Thessalonians with word and deed so that they would follow the narrow way prescribed by Jesus.

Paul's love for them reflected the heart of Christ for His church. He loved them unconditionally, patiently, and compassionately. 

What a beautiful picture of new believers learning how to walk in newness of life. 

Remember, every Christian begins as a babe in Christ who needs faithful pastors, teachers, elders and parents to show us the right ways of God.

The phrase "Being affectionately desirous of you"  means Paul had such intense love for this church that he was not only willing to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, but also to give his own life for their sakes. 

The Thessalonian Christians were dear, and beloved by Paul and Silas. The words of Paul are expressive of strongest affection and attachment.

1 Thessalonians 2:9  For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 

Paul spent more time at Thessalonica than what the record in Acts 17 indicates. Luke's account in the book of Acts is abbreviated.

This account from Paul indicates that he stayed there long enough to make sure the church was well instructed in the things of God. 

The words "labor, travail" and "laboring night and day" have the idea of a prolonged, ongoing ministry. 

Paul's spiritual labor was interrupted only when he needed to make tents to support his needs for food, clothing and shelter. 

He knew that the people were generally poor and he refused to become a burden to them. 

What a godly example set forth by the apostle. Paul's sacrificial heart is a strong rebuke to the greed and worldliness of typical prosperity gospel preachers. 

His highest priority was preaching the gospel of God and showing the people the application of this truth to their lives. 

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12  Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11)  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12)  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 

Paul reminded the Thessalonians that both they and the God of glory were witnesses of Paul's personal integrity and right conduct before God and man. 

Paul and Silas lived by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God. Their walk matched their talk. They did what was right according to God's Word. 

No Christian at Thessalonica could find any basis to accuse Paul and Silas of failing to live out their faith in Christ. 

Paul was very much a spiritual father to this church. He brought the life changing gospel of Christ to them. 

He helped this church to be planted, by nurturing them and anchoring their hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Thus, when he wrote to them, it was very much like a loving father imparting necessary instruction to his children. 

Paul made it clear to the church that all the warnings and promises of God were true. 

That God requires of His children faith, love, and obedience.  

That God will not tolerate sin and that Jesus died to save them from their sins. 

Therefore, he reminded them (and us) that without holiness, none should see God. 

Paul's focus was to help the Thessalonians see that they must prioritize "walking worthy of God" because of the immense grace He bestowed upon each of them.

Ephesians 4:1-3  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2)  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3)  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

In writing to the Ephesians, Paul describes the worthy walk of a believer in Christ. Our "walk" refers to the pattern of our choices that we make each day. Do they honor or dishonor God? 

The Lord wants us to walk closely with Him, and He has made provision for us to do so. 

He sends His own Spirit to live in us at the moment of our conversion to Christ. 

He has given us ready access to His Word because He speaks to us through it, when we hear it preached or when we read it.

He has granted us full access to the throne of God in prayer, so that we might speak to Him about our cares, concerns, burdens, hopes and aspirations. 

Jesus Christ was meek and lowly and each Christian ought to have this same heart toward others. 

Jesus Christ was longsuffering, patient in his dealings with fallen humanity, and so should we be. 

He was forbearing with others. Whereas they were impetuous, impatient and often angry, Jesus was patient and loving.

The love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Spirit of God is why we can have godly character traits like these, manifest in our conduct. 

Such a Christian will seek to keep unity within the church of Jesus Christ. He or she will not be those who sow discord, spread hurtful gossip in the church. 

Why? Because the Bible says that those who sow discord, which is the opposite of unity, are doing something that God hates (See Proverbs 6:16-19).

1 Thessalonians 2:12  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 

There are other examples of the worthy walk that you can study by looking up the word "walk" in Paul's letter to the church. 

There are about 30 examples of how a Christian should "walk" before the Lord of Glory. 

This should be our goal: to walk worthy of God, doing what He tells us to do and refraining from anything that He does not want us to do. Trust and obey. Hear and heed the scriptures. 

Our goal is to honor God, glorify Him with how we choose to live and to always be working for His kingdom and glory.

Bob



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