Supermodels: Paul & Silas

Good Morning, 

We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 1 Thess. 2:6

As I have been studying the book of 1 Thessalonians, I’ve been struck afresh by the attitude with which Paul, Silas and their fellow laborers proselytized. I am particularly captured by the last part of verse 6, ”even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority”.

It took me back to the attitude of Christ Paul writes about in Philippians 2, where he points out that even though Jesus had every right to assert his position and authority, He made a conscious choice not to hold on to that. He made that choice out of humility and love.  In Paul’s ministry to the young church in Thessalonica he adopts the same posture. 

Instead of an obsession with grandstanding about the “rightness” of his position (which was certainly right) Paul and his companions chose to take on an attitude of love and compassion. He understood that what he was teaching these people was radically different than generations of their families had understood as the correct path to God. It was a massive ask of them. Argument alone would not work. In fact, he intentionally stayed away from flattery or trickery.  He dealt with these people as a father deals with children he cares deeply about.  The words that he uses to describe his interactions are encouraging, comforting, and urging (v12).

And according to verse 1, it worked. You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.  I wonder, in this age of heightened emotional volatility, if we need to revisit and recapture the approach of Jesus and Paul.  We would do well to remember that it is the Holy Spirit who does the real work. We are the simply the messengers, and as such should deliver the message of love and compassion in a manner filled with love and compassion.

Question to ponder this week:

1.    Who in my path could use a touch of love and compassion in the manner of Jesus and Paul?

Live on purpose,

Ron Klopfenstein, CPLC