"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." (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6)
We are living in a society where people are always trying to manipulate others in one way or another. Even within the church there exists the temptation to try an manipulate people into attending and joining their church, often with the wrong motives.
Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians, after commending them for their own example, uses his own ministry as an example to us of what our own lives and ministries should be motivated by.
Pure Motives
In verse 3 Paul reminds the Thessalonian Christians that his motives for preaching to them were pure, that he was not trying to deceive or manipulate them in any way. Paul, and indeed all of the apostles, had a ministry based on the Gospel and the desire to share that Gospel with everyone else. Their desire simply was to get the Word out, and they never did it with any airs and graces or hypocrisy, but simply preached the truth.
We need to examine our own motives. In our ministries and lives are we doing the things we are doing for the right motives? Tied in with this is the issue of who are we trying to please, God or man? Paul and the apostles clearly aimed to please God and not man. They were willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the Gospel. Are we willing to do the same?
People only see our outward behaviour. We can fool them. But God looks at the heart, He is not fooled by the outward show. He sees our motives and our desire to please Him. If our hearts truly belong to Christ, then our motives and desire to please Him should be what drives us forward in everything that we do.
Selfless Motivation
The number one motivator of man is recognition. You can give people all the perks of the job and money that they ask for, you can even promote them to higher positions, but at the end of the day, those things do not truly motivate a person. Rather it is the recognition. Whether it is the CEO of a major business, or the tea lady in a small town office, all people seek recognition for what they do. They want to be told that they are doing a good job and that they are valued, and no amount of money will ever do that.
However, as believers that motivation needs to be different. Our own recognition and glory should be thrown out for the recognition and glory of God. As Paul said in verse 6, they did not do what they did in ministry for any praise at all from other men of from the Thessalonians themselves. Their motivation was clearly the Gospel and the glory of God.
What motivates you? Is it fame or the recognition of others? Is it the praise of man or the praise of God?
A Good Example
Paul is an example of a life changed by Christ. He was willing to give up everything for the service of others. His life is a contrast to the ways of the world, and indeed of many in the church. His life was characterised by unselfish lowliness, the willingness to serve others at any cost.
Such should be the life of anyone who has been changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and aims to live it out. Does this characterise your life?
Just a Thought!
© 2013
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