1 Thessalonians 2:1-2 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
When the emperor Valens threatened Eusebius with confiscation of all his goods, torture, banishment, or even death, the courageous Christian replied, "He needs not fear confiscation, who has nothing to lose; nor banishment, to whom heaven is his country; nor torments, when his body can be destroyed at one blow; nor death, which is the only way to set him at liberty from sin and sorrow." Source Unknown.
Our passage today is the first-person reminder to the believers of Thessalonica of how and when Paul and his fellow Christians came to that city. They had been treated much like Eusebius before ever arriving, having a bit of a "reputation" for being troublemakers because of their faith. It was stirring up quite a conflict between those who violently refused to believe against all who were changed by the truth. When Paul and company arrived to Thessalonica, they were treated poorly again, suffering and being treated shamefully. But Paul and company were faithful and bold in their witness and testimony nevertheless.
There is only two possible explanations for Paul's steadfast effort to proclaim this craziness: either Paul was crazy or he was genuinely believing it (it was true). The passage we are thinking on implies that Paul wanted the believers of Thessalonica to see that HE really believed it. Paul wanted them to see that, regardless of any persecution that might come his way, Jesus really was alive, Jesus really was saving people, Jesus really was the promised Messiah! There was no amount of persecution that could change that. There was no soul worthy of forfeiting to hell simply because Paul wanted to be spared some form of maltreatment, persecution, prejudice, or discrimination. "Go ahead, kill the messenger; that doesn't change the message!"
If only more people could stand like Paul - or Eusebius - and declare that wonderful truth of Jesus with such confidence today! Great is the testimony and worthy is the God of the person who boldly declares the truth concerning Jesus Christ in a world where unbelief is growing exponentially and persecutions along with it. Our mighty Lord faced such persecution unto death. He rose again to ensure we would have eternal life, and to give us confidence of that fact. We have nothing to fear and everything to gain by experiencing persecution.
As I meditate on my own views of Jesus Christ, I find that I am a bit ashamed of the weakness with which I live my life, the weakness with which I tell the story of Jesus' and His role in my life. Problem is, too often, the intangible is also the invisible - and out of sight is out of mind.
But, also as I meditate on my view of Christ, I cannot help but know, at the core of my being, that He is real, He is alive, and He is really living in me!
Pray: Lord, forgive me for living as though that were not so. Forgive me for acting as though that were not so. Forgive me for my silence as though that were not so! You are my Lord and Savior. You DO great things. You ARE faithful and true. You Lead me in righteousness. You strengthen me for the trials that a righteous life will face in an unrighteous world. You offer me wisdom in a world of foolish counselors. You make a way where there is no way. You do things that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, and then you bring your own into that wonderful experience. I pray that, in forgiving me, you will also, because you are gracious, give me your blessing and mercy in such times. Nevertheless, I give myself to you today, that you might use me to let others see you are real, really wonderful, and really the only God. In Jesus' Living Name, Amen.
Holler for Jesus,
Greg Yount
Check out my blogs:
Just-a-Thot - Devotional thoughts - http://justa-thot.blogspot.com
As I See It - Biblical perspectives on current events - http://asiseeit10.blogspot.com
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Pastor Greg