The Motive and Conduct of a Man of God I Thess. 2:1-20 Part II
In this chapter, the critics of Paul were at their best. There are those who are always trying to undermine the good that you are doing. Paul had his critics during his lifetime, and so do we! The two main charges against this grand apostle were: unworthy motives and questionable behavior. These same two charges are basically the ones that our critics are, right now, discussing about us, even more so as the Lord is progressing our ministries. Some critics are constantly resisting the advancements in our ministries, and they will do anything to attempt to destroy the credibility and integrity of the minister to which God is using at the time.
As we related in our last article, the great Apostle Paul really cherished this church. The believers were “living out the gospel message” to such extent that everyone in their region and beyond heard about their new-found faith. What a marvelous church! Our text I Thessalonians 2:1-20 may be outlined as follows: I. Paul’s Ministry Being Scrutinized – I Thessalonians 2:1-12; II. Paul’s Ministry Involving Suffering – I Thessalonians 2:13-20.
- Paul’s Ministry Involving Suffering – I Thessalonians 2:13-20
As previously discussed in I Thessalonians 2:7, 8, 11, the Thessalonian church was really an affection to the Apostle Paul and his associates. In verse 13, Paul’s heart was filled with unusual joy because these believers were receptive to the word of God, conscious of the fact that its message found evidence that it was the very words of God. In other words, they heard the word of God, and its message had an extraordinary impact upon their lives. The message in which Paul shared with the believers resulted in a dramatic change in their lives in the past, to such an extent, that in the present, it is producing an effect.
As believers today, let us share the message of God’s grace to a dying and sin-sick world, and leave the results to God to effect the change in people’s lives; indeed, I am a living witness that His word given through the power of the Spirit will produce a change in the lives of people (Isaiah 55:11). If the gospel is genuinely accepted by faith on the part of any unsaved person, I will assure one that God will truly save, for John 5:24, says: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
Having received the word genuinely, which resulted in their lives being transformed, Paul went on to impress upon them that God was still at work in them even if they were experiencing persecution from unbelievers (v.14). These believers were certainly being persecuted just as their brethren in Judea were. Sometimes, even in our present situation, we tend to feel that God is displeased with us when we are going through the sea of hard times. Not so! Suffering for the faith is a normal experience for every child of God. We have not been exempted from the problems of this world, and the believers in our text wasn’t either. We need to know that God hasn’t abandoned us when we are going through hard times, but that He is really maturing us (Romans 8:28).
Yes, we will suffer persecution as believers of God; but that fact should not cause us to give up in despair! In verse 15, Paul is reminding these believers that suffering is a common experience of not only other believers, but even the Lord Jesus and the Old Testament prophets suffered. Those who persecute believers are really fighting against God and preventing unbelievers from experiencing salvation.
In verse 16, Paul goes on to say that unbelievers who are guilty of preventing other unbelievers from receiving salvation will eventually be judged severely by God. God will not allow unbelievers to hinder others from receiving the truth of God without punishment. God’s wrath will be eventually poured out upon a rejecting world after the rapture of the church – the “tribulation period” (see I Thess. 5:3).
In verse 17, Paul explains to the Thessalonian believers that his departure from them was due to circumstances beyond his control. Paul revealed his feelings of being separated from them; however, Paul hoped that the separation would be brief. Paul and his associates indeed had an intense longing to see the believers again! In verse 18, Paul accused Satan for his failure to be able to return. Paul wanted to return to Thessalonica to provide spiritual nourishment and help to the new converts but was prohibited.
Finally, in the next verses (19-20), Paul was so overwhelmed with excitement over the spiritual development of these believers, for at judgment seat of Christ, they will be the climax of his joy when he sees them in glory. These believers had brought so much joy to the Apostle and Paul will be so blessed when he sees them in heaven at the judgment seat of Christ.
May God Bless!
