1 Thessalonians 2:9-16 – Being pace-setters

Verses 9-12 tell us that together with his companions, Paul labored hard, day and night for his own provision, refusing to be a burden to them financially as he proclaimed the Gospel to them. He reminded the Thessalonians that they were fully aware of this and could concur with him. Paul was not just like a tender mother to them, he was also like a consistent father to them. By being a father to them, he constantly set the example by living a devout, upright and blameless life before them. It’s this kind of life that would please God. Besides, he did not just say it in words but also in action. Not only were they his witnesses but so was God. And as an instructing father, he disciplined them as his children. He not only exhorted but also encouraged and implored them, to walk worthy of God, Who had called them into His own Kingdom and glory.

In verses 13-16, Paul portrayed for us his role as God’s messenger. He ceaselessly proclaimed to them the Gospel and they accepted it as God’s Word. They willingly opened their hearts to the message and acknowledge it as God’s voice to them. As a result, their lives were changed by it. For this, Paul did not cease to thank God. Their lives were so evidently changed and bore spiritual fruit. They even emulated the examples of the believers in Judea. And like them, the Thessalonians were willing to endure the suffering and persecution from their own countrymen, even as the Judeans suffered at the hand of the Jews. In verses 15 and 16, Paul was neither anti-Jew nor anti-Semitic. He was merely stating the facts. Many of the Jews were rejecting Christ and opposing the Gospel. They were preventing others, even the Gentiles, from believing in Christ. They were storing up the wrath of God as Jesus had warned.

Like Paul, we must seek to be fervent, upright and blameless. All these are achievable when we yield to the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to take full control of our lives. We must also seek to be stable messengers of Christ in words and conduct, constantly bearing fruit. When we keep doing that, no outward threatening circumstance we encounter can ever get us down. Let’s be pace-setters for the Lord!