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TRUSTWORTHY
-CAN GOD TRUST YOU WITH HIS GOSPEL?
By Jon W. Quinn
Can you be trusted? Now that question is not the same as asking
if you are honest. There is a difference, though honesty is
a part of being trustworthy. There are honest people that are
not trustworthy in certain circumstances. For example, though I am
honest, I would not be trustworthy as a brain surgeon, airline pilot or
as a centre on a pro basketball team. See the difference?
But there are things we can do to make ourselves more trustworthy. In
addition to honesty, we can study and prepare ourselves for certain situations.
Many people study life saving techniques such as CPR so
that they can be depended on in a medical crises. What does it take to make one trustworthy with the gospel? Honesty
is an obvious choice. Love for God and others, knowledge and
courage are some attributes that come to mind. This is important,
because you see, God has entrusted us with His gospel! This is not
just a theory. He has given us the gospel complete, including instructions
on how to use it. What does it take to approve ourselves unto
God as trustworthy servants?
It takes the same things as it took for Paul and others to be faithful servants,
because most of the same attributes that made Paul a good
apostle will make us good disciples, with a few notable exceptions
such as direct inspiration, confirming miracles and so forth.
The Text (I Thessalonians 2:1-6).
"For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in
vain, but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi,
as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the
gospel of God amid much opposition. For our exhortation does not
come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have
been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak,
not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts. For we never
came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed
- God is witness - nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or
from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted
our authority."
The Background
"You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the
word in much tribulation and the joy of the Holy Spirit." (I
Thessalonians 1:6). Paul first took the gospel to Thessalonica during
his second missionary journey. It was a busy city, linked to all the
important cities of Macedonia by road and located on the Thermatic
Gulf.
Paul had first gone to the synagogue, as he often did, and proclaimed
the gospel of Christ there on three traight Sabbaths. As a result, a
number of Jews and proselytes believed, including a number of prominent
women.
(Acts 17:2-4).
But others of the Jews became jealous ofPaul, and went to the marketplace and began
to stir up trouble for him. They formed a mob and incited it. The mob came searching for
Paul and Silas at the house of Jason, but
could not find them. They dragged Jason and other brethren to the city authorities and accused them of
welcoming Paul and Silas, "men who have upset the world" and who say that
"there is another king, Jesus." The council received a pledge (probably
having to do with loyalty to Caesar) from the brethren and released
them, while Paul and Silas left Thessalonica for Berea (Acts 17:5-10).
Evidently, troubles for the new church continued after Paul's departure.
Some Things We Need To Be Trustworthy Custodians of the
Gospel "For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in
vain...we had the boldness in our God...we have been approved by
God...so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God...God examines our
hearts." (I Thessalonians 2:1-4).
Boldness - Severe treatment, danger and opposition did not bring
about a hesitance to proclaim Jesus. If the gospel had been changed,
then perhaps others would not have been as opposed to it. But the
gospel is not ours to change. We are to speak the truth, as it has been
given to us by God, in season and out of season (II Timothy 4:1,2).
Our task is too important to allow ourselves to be intimidated into either
changing the message or refraining from telling it to others.
Approved by God - Paul and Silas had already been tried and had
passed the test. Their approval was from God. This approval comes to
us today in much the same way. If we walk in the light of the gospel,
being loyal to the Lordship of Jesus in all things, not allowing trying circumstances
to dissuade us, then we are approved by God. But if wee
deny the Lord or become ashamed of living by His gospel, then we
have failed the test (II Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 1:10).
Speak to please God - Our aim ought always be to please God in the
things we do or say. He is the one we serve. He determines our standards
of conduct and speech, not man. When we take a poll about the
right or wrong of a thing, we only seek one Respondent's answers; the
Lord's (Luke 6:47; Romans 3:4).
Conscious that God examines our hearts - We are always aware that
God sees our motives. Thoughts that are hidden to others are obvious
unto God. If we understand this, then we will be more likely to keep
motive and conscience clean (I Corinthians 4:4,5).
Some Things We Must Avoid To Be Trustworthy Custodians of
the Gospel "For our exhortation comes not from error or impurity or by way of
deceit..never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext
for greed...nor did we seek glory from men..." (I Thessalonians
2:3-6).
Error - The gospel Paul taught was free from misleading statements
and false doctrines. He was not there to seduce them, but to save
them. There were false teachers in the world, but Paul was not one of
them (II Timothy 3:13). We must be sure that our teaching is true.
Impurity - Paul's preaching did not come from moral or spiritual
uncleanliness. His ethics were always the highest, and so must ours
be (I Thessalonians 4:1-7).
Deceit - Paul was not a crafty, treacherous sort of person either.
Sometimes this Greek word is translated "guile" and if we are to be like
Jesus, we will have to do away with this (I Peter 2:22). There are many
religious charlatans in the world. These frauds will one day stand
before the righteous judge and answer for their wickedness.
Flattery - Flattering words cover up evil motives. Paul spoke plainly
and lovingly. He was not involved in teaching the gospel for his own
benefit, but for that of others. Beware the flatterer, and do not be one
yourself (Romans 16:18).
Greed - There were some who were false teachers seeking material
rewards by their work at the expense of others. Offering false hopes
may gain something in a material way, but it will cost the teacher his
soul because he has made himself "an enemy of the cross of Christ"
(Philippians 3:18-19).
Seeking the glory of men - Finally, a trustworthy custodian of the
gospel needs to be more interested in being exalted by God at the
proper time than in receiving the accolades of men now. A choice has
to often be made here. Some of Jesus' day made the wrong one (John
12:42,43).
Can God trust you with His gospel? Have you made yourself a trustworthy
custodian of the treasures with which He has blessed us all? If
not, isn't it time to seek the approval of the One who examines our
hearts?
Be a good Ambassador of God.
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