Sold out for God?

Notes from a prayer meeting held on Tuesday 25 August 2015

1 Thessalonians 2 verses 1 – 10

“Ye are witnesses and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.”

Paul is speaking here of the importance of a life lived.  Yes he was speaking of himself as a preacher but also to every individual in Thessalonica too.  There’s a great burden on our hearts to be in the right place with God.  Yes God draws us to salvation but there is more to it than that, there is that power which helps us to walk with God.  In verse 9 Paul talks about the sermons he preached but now in verse 10 he refers to the life he has led as well.  He went in and out where the Thessalonian believers where.  How they thought of him as a person.  The apostle Paul can say “ye are witnesses and God also”.  What is he testifying to?  The God of heaven – “ye know how we were, you know the life we lived.”  As we come to another gospel mission are we sold out for the mission?  That is what it takes.  Paul was on the streets of Thessalonica, cared not what people thought of him but what God thought of him and how he lived before these people.  He is speaking of a behaviour that is important to him and to God.

Paul talks of a reverence for God.  Peter speaking of a day yet to come in 2 Peter 3 verse 11, warned them there would be scoffers in the last day.  They will say “we have heard this all before but nothing has happened so why should we believe you?”  Peter asks them a searching question in light of this “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.”  The word “conversation” refers to lifestyle and behaviour.  As Christians living in the light of the Lord’s return we should be doing all we can to see souls saved.  It is one thing to know that Jesus is coming again but that should affect my behaviour, my living.  Jesus told of a man who was going into a far land.  First of all he equipped his servants with talents and told them “occupy till I come.”  That word “occupy” means to possess something but also improve upon it.  He wanted to see them investing in these talents wisely.  When he came again he wanted to receive much off them.  That takes us back to what God has given to you and I.  He has given us salvation and a promise of a home in heaven but one day he is coming back for us and there will be a day of rewards.  Every one of us will be called before him to give an account.  Will we be able to show an improvement on the investment he has given to us?  Or will we stand with empty hands?  We need to have reverence, holy awe of God, adoration love for God and his house and for his word also.  Moses halted in his tracks at the burning bush.  He had been leading the sheep out into pasture when his attention was drawn to the burning bush that didn’t burn away.  God spoke to him out of that bush “Take off your shoes you are standing on holy ground”.  Whenever we come into the house of God we are on holy ground.  The moment we come into the house of God we should be captivated by God.  We should have a reverence for God.  That is why Paul could say “you are my witnesses to that reverence we had before you.”

Now Paul turns to men – “how holily and justly”.  Paul is speaking about his fellow man.  People who came in to walk alongside him and to win souls for Christ.  The word “justly” means living up to a mark.  Paul said “you know how we were, yes we have reverence for God but secondly we had respect for the people of God.”  Verse 11 says “every one of you.”  Paul walked with every one of them.  It didn’t matter whether they were poor or rich, young or old.  Paul had respect for who they were and what they were.  He lived before them in testimony to God and their souls.  We need to be that too - have we a reverence for God and a respect for others?  The Christian must respect others and their views.  In Philippians 2 verse 20 we read “For I have no man likeminded who will naturally care for your state.”  Paul had thought of all the people he could send to Philippi and he said this of Timothy.  What a tremendous tribute and testimony for the apostle Paul.  We need to care for souls, we need a respect for souls.  Not only have a burden for souls but a respect for them too.  The Psalmist said “no man cared for my soul”.  Wouldn’t it be awful to have that attitude?  Paul didn’t want to do anything that would hinder God saving a soul.  It was a care that was cautious.  Paul writing to Timothy talked about his behaviour reflecting the testimony of God “If I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3 verse 15).

There is a responsibility Paul shared – “unblameably”.  Paul was living his life in respect and reverence and he was unblameable.  No one could point the finger and say “you didn’t come up to the mark.”  Paul was living a life in reverence for God, a respect for others and had a responsibility to be blameless.  Ephesians 5 verse 15 “See then that ye walk circumspectly not as fools but as wise.”  When Paul used that word he didn’t use it lightly.  He was using it as someone who had lost control of themselves.  In other words “let the Holy Spirit take complete control of your life, hand all over to him and let him have control.”