1 Thessalonians
2:4
"On the
contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We
are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."
NIV
"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." KJV
If we are making a
purchase, a large, important purchase, we don't want the salesperson to give us
incomplete, biased, and faulty information about our selected item. In fact, it
would be unfair to us if someone trusted by their company gave us only what we
wanted to hear about our selection. More important than that, we are God's
spokespersons to tell the good news to those who need it. He has given us the
responsibility to tell it all and tell it with truth. Most people, even
Christians, don't want to hear about commitment, giving up of self, and
suffering for the gospel. They would rather listen to how many blessings are
just waiting for us to collect and how chosen we are to partake in the good
things of God. Fellow believers, that is watered down truth. The death of Christ
is not a warm fuzzy story. The persecution experienced by Christians from the
early church till now is not a pleasant thing to behold. Walking the narrow path
is not always a mountain top experience. It is up to us to share the whole truth
and in so doing we will be pleasing God, not men.
Heavenly Father,
we are humbled by Your words that tell us we are trusted with the Gospel.
Forgive us for trying to persuade others with a watered down rendition of the
true Gospel message. Give us boldness to present the Gospel, the things of Your
Kingdom, with boldness and completeness, not worrying if we are offending. The
Holy Spirit will witness to the hearts of the hearers that the Truth is being
told. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.
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©2011
Daily
Grace
Bobbi
Craigmyle, Psy.D., BCPCC
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