Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:2-8
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
The universal church is entrusted by God to fulfill her calling which is to carefully handle the Gospel of truth with boldness, but churches in this generation prefer clowns to make the goats laugh rather than teachers who feed the flock.
During the time of the Apostles, sharing the gospel was not as easy as it is today. People who openly express their faith in Christ and boldly share the gospel were heavily persecuted, shamed, and even put to death, but these did not stop the Christians from sharing the good news because the boldness that they have was given by God and made them unstoppable.
Christians are to handle God's power to salvation which is the Gospel with confidence and boldness because what we are sharing to the people is the truth that will reunite them with the Holy Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why Christians should study and understand the word of God according to how God wants it to be understood and it is through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Apostle Paul reminded the Christians to share the Gospel with pure intent of giving glory to God and genuine care to the souls of the lost. There are churches that preach and teach the word partially because they do not want their members to feel offended, but God's word is sharper than a two-edged sword which pierces through the innermost being of a man (Hebrews 4:12).
God wanted us to pursue teaching and preaching His word truthfully without reservations because the word of God does not respect any man and the Bible was given for us to have a renewed heart and mind in according to the will of God and it will not be complete if we do not share the truth in God's word from cover to cover (2 Timothy 2:15).
It doesn't mean that we are to condemn them with God's word, but rather know when to teach, to correct, to rebuke, and to train for righteousness. Everything must be done with pure love and care, being willing to give and dedicate our whole lives not only to each one of us, but also to the gospel that reunited us to God and to one another ( 2 Timothy 3:16).
We ought to handle God's word with sincerity and boldness, yet being careful not to use it for self-gain nor twist it to our favor, because God said that whoever adds or subtracts anything from His word will be cursed (Revelation 22:18).
Reflect
1. Are you boldly yet carefully handling the Gospel of Christ and proclaiming it purely for God alone?
2. Are you willing to suffer and to be persecuted for Christ and His ministry?
Remember
What we are sharing to the world is God's power to salvation which is why we should not be afraid nor be ashamed of His word. Instead, let us understand it through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Read
2 Timothy 2:10-15, 2 Timothy 3:12-16, Hebrews 4:12-13, Romans 1:8-17
Pray
We pray to You, our merciful Father. Please give us the boldness to proclaim Your power and Your excellencies in our going. Teach us to devote our lives in understanding the deepest truth of Your words, so we may know You more and know what would please You. By then, we can let others know how great and awesome You are, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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