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| Paul the Apostle |
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
New International Version (NIV)
9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
For Consideration:
Vs. 11-Paul claims to have dealt with the Thessalonians "like a father with his children." How do we identify with our spiritual "parents"...those that have faithfully instructed and influenced us?
Is it necessary for disciples of today to be "pure, upright, and blameless in our conduct" (vs 10) toward those with whom the Gospel is shared? Is this kindred to "faith without works?"
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.
For Consideration:
Vs. 11-Paul claims to have dealt with the Thessalonians "like a father with his children." How do we identify with our spiritual "parents"...those that have faithfully instructed and influenced us?
Is it necessary for disciples of today to be "pure, upright, and blameless in our conduct" (vs 10) toward those with whom the Gospel is shared? Is this kindred to "faith without works?"
How do we identify with our spiritual parents? It is a very deep connection. If you truely have a spritual leader it is like they have a connection to you deeper than some of your family connections. I think that is why it was so hard for me when Bill Williamson left, he was not just my preacher, he was my spiritual father. He made such an impact in my relationship with God when he left it was like I lost a family member...he just moved one state over but the impact of his leaving was so detrimental to me and I think this passage helps explain why.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I always felt that Bill spoke to me with love in his heart. I've marveled that he seemed to speak to each of us with genuine love and encouragement, and I've felt that from others in our church. I'm certain that I can't be "pure, upright, and blameless," but maybe we can all be genuine in "encouraging and comforting" to our church family members. Dawn, you definitely do that for our children at 1st Pres. Thank you!
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