Continuing our study of 1st Thessalonians…
Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 2:1-4
You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Thought for the Day: My faith has been inspired by the life and works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who was executed by the Nazis for his opposition to Hitler and his commitment to the Confessing Church. Bonhoeffer wrote, “Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will.” In reading these opening words from the 2nd chapter of 1st Thessalonians, Paul appears to have been focused on what motivates us to do what we do as people of faith. Though Paul doesn’t specifically mention fear or insecurity as unhealthy motives, it appears, that like Bonhoeffer, Paul recognized all those things that have us living a tentative faith instead of a courageous and risk-taking faith. Of course, we must take into consideration that both of these men (along with their teacher, Jesus) were killed for this courageous risk-taking approach.
In reading Paul, both here and in other letters, we find a strong emphasis on a person’s outward actions ALONGSIDE a person’s inward motivation. Clearly Paul was impressed by the outward expressions of faith seen among the Thessalonians (chapter 1), and though he didn’t appear to question their motivation, he still raised a broader concern. This emphasis on what propels a person’s faith was probably attached to the above mentioned persecution. Paul knew that if an individual’s motivations were not good, s/he would easily be dissuaded when persecution arose. When life is good, our motivations can be self-centered or simply shallow. But when difficult arises, the ego is no longer fed and the self-gratifying rationale is no longer present. In those moments, what appeared to be a powerful witness turns quickly on itself and undermines the larger body’s mission. Paul didn’t go as far as to say, “If your heart isn’t in the right place, don’t do it,” but he recognized how damaging improper or unhealthy motivation could be to the larger mission of the faithful.
No one has perfect motivation, but at the end of the day, what would you describe as your motivation to remain faithful? Has it ever been unexpectedly challenged? Is it connected only to what you receive from this relationship?
Prayer: Creator God, continue to create within me a heart properly motivated to serve you and your kingdom. Amen.
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