You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition. So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery. For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
(1 Thessalonians 2:2–4)
Did you catch these thoughts as you read 1 Thessalonians 2:2–4?
- When Paul spoke amidst the strong current of public opposition, it was “the gospel of God” he shared (v. 2; NASB).
- The very foundation of his being was not “error” or “impurity” or “deceit,” but rather the truth of the Scriptures (v. 3; NASB).
- Furthermore, he considered the Word of God as something “entrusted” to him. And it gave him such security and confidence that he didn’t feel the need to compromise and become a “people pleaser” (v. 4; NASB).
Even though it may sound old-fashioned, the first and most significant priority we can cultivate is to make the Scriptures a part of our lives. A biblical mentality is the secret to surviving the aimlessness of our days.
I find it interesting that being committed to a biblical mentality and lifestyle is so old it’s new! For some, it’s rare. It also leads to a good deal of self-examination. Did you observe this at the end of v. 4? As we begin to soak up the truths of God’s Book, He goes to work on us!
“The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12–13 NIV 1984)
Descriptive, isn’t it? The principles and precepts of Scripture touch what no surgeon’s scalpel can touch—the spirit, thoughts, attitudes, the very essence of our being. And God uses His truths to help shape us and clean us up and mature us in our walk with Him.
Let’s take this to heart. Let’s determine that we are not going to allow the tyranny of the urgent to steal from us those vitally important moments with our God in His Word. First and foremost, let’s become people who are thoroughly committed to biblical thinking and action.
Taken from Strengthening Your Grip by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2015 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
