Declaring the good news of Jesus Christ to the world isn’t always taken in with joy, but most times with contention, though it does for the believer. Going onto the streets takes much courage, and for this reason we ought to always be led by God. While out there, men of God suffer and are 1“shamefully entreated” as Paul was and evangelists are now. As he was 1“bold in our God to speak unto” the people 1“the gospel of Christ” at Philippi, the people were contentious with him. However, as Paul and the disciples were 1“put in trust with the gospel”, even so did they speak; 1“not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.” For God never used them or even us now to speak the truth of the gospel with flattering words, but words that convict the very soul to repent and come to Jesus. In all this, do God’s messengers speak with love, for the greatest love of all is to lead a person from sin and unto Jesus for salvation. This is when the person that receives the gospel message with humility see’s the compassion of the Lord and His willingness to forgive them of their sins. Truly, they see the gentleness of the Father, to allow us into His fold, even after all we have done. For this reason, did the disciples of Jesus labor night and day, in order to lead many more souls unto Christ for salvation.
The Lord still works in our lives now and still sends His disciples out into the world, in order to lead people out of bondage and unto Him. His messengers all come with the same heart, though with different backgrounds and spiritual gifts. That one heart is their love for Jesus, our Lord, and their desire to lead people unto Him for salvation. We believe and teach that Jesus is the only way to heaven. All other ways lead to death and destruction. However, this desire to be used in God’s harvest does come at a cost. As Paul described above, many people will be upset with our preaching of Christ and His gospel message. His teaching of repentance and turning from sin, for forgiveness and mercy may be taken well for a believer, however this is not the case for an unbeliever. For every unbeliever sees this as a person trying to change their way of life and that makes them more upset than anything else. They also see it as pushing our religion on them and being judgmental when we speak about specific sins that will keep us out of heaven. However, what they and all people must know is that if we want to go heaven, then there must be a change of heart and a desire to follow Jesus. This comes when we begin to 1“walk worthy of God”. When people do this, then they know that a change has occurred.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that as believers, we will also desire to be Your disciples and to be used for Your kingdom. I pray that more people that proclaim to know You will also be given boldness to share their love for You to the world. I know that this takes courage, but I also know that we are stronger with You in our lives. Once we let You, Jesus, take the wheel, then we can do all things by Your hand, even to the point of being Your witness. I know this Lord for a fact since You have taken a person like me, who was timid and nor social to be Your messenger to the world. In all my fear and slow speech, You have raised up a man that is not afraid of what people have to say. You have taken all that timidness from my soul and replaced in me courage and confidence in what I know is right. Even my slow and stuttery speech has been changed. For when I open my mouth, Lord, Your words of wisdom flow through me, even to the point of convicting every person that listens to repentance. This I know is because of Your power in my life. I may not have thought I could be a witness for You, but my trust in You, God, has changed everything. Now, I go out into the world with much confidence in You, my God. It is my prayer that many more people will join me in Your harvest, each week. Just as You raised up disciples in Your time on earth, Jesus, I pray that many more souls will wake up to Your Spiritual gifts in their lives. Then, will the harvest have people that willing to till it and bring souls unto You. I love You and trust in You, God. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
11 Thessalonians 2 (KJV)
1 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 cloke 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.
7 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.
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.
10 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.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.