Read:1 Thessalonians 2:1-16
Verses chosen for reflection
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
Reflect
Even among the faithful in Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul saw the need to explain their ministry in the Gospel. This was due to the many religious leaders and false prophets who were peddling various alternatives to the Gospel and managed to deceive even those who seemed spiritually discerning. Paul was giving them some guidance on how they can discern between what is falsehood and what is true or purely from God.
First and foremost, they need to understand the motive. Why does this person want to speak with you in the first place? Why did they have the desire to engage?
For the Apostle and his team, they had spoken out of their desire to bring the Gospel for the saving of souls. God had commissioned Paul and his team to bring the Gospel to the Thessalonians, and so they did. They had wanted to please God, and so they did. Their motive was not to please men but to please God. The Gospel is pure in this manner. It was carried by men like Paul who only wanted to share the good news of Christ. Nothing more. Nothing less.
In contrast, those who preach another kind of "gospel" might have impure motives. They might want to please men for the sake of reaping some personal benefits. Even benefits such as having followers to admire them. They did not do it to please God or to follow His calling. They did it because they wanted something for themselves.
Secondly, Paul said that they did not come to the Thessalonians with words of flattery. They also did not demand anything from the people; even if it is in their right to do so. Instead, unlike the false teachers, Paul put the interests of the people whom they serve first. The priority is always, that the people know Christ through the Gospel; even if this means that Paul and team should suffer for it. On that, Paul confidently declared that they had ministered to the people out of pure love and motive.
Relate
Checking for motive is always a good way to discern if someone is genuine in what they say or do. However sometimes, we cannot know the truth unless God reveal it to us or that someone tells us. In comparison, self-checking for motive is almost always an accurate way to know if we are doing something to please God. Or is it more to please ourselves. Why? Because all believers are blessed with the Holy Spirit to help us self-check our motives. To self check if we are obeying the truth or playing hide and seek with God.
Quite often, if I reach deep enough into my own heart, I can discover my motive of doing something. The motive can be pure or not so pure. If it is not so pure, that might not stop me from carrying out the deed or thought, as I can deceive myself into thinking that the motive I have for doing that something is not really "that bad".
For example, there was once I caught myself wondering what really is my motive of wanting my children to do well in their walk with God?
Is it purely for their own benefit? Or is it partly because i can have the comfort to know that i have done something right? Or is it because I am a pastor and therefore I am concerned that their spirituality reflects my shepherding ability? Or have I sometimes forgotten that however I choose to disciple my kids should actually be for the witness of God's glory?
Upon deeper reflection, I discovered that my motive and hence actions for them to do well spiritually, are not always pleasing to God. I repented and asked God to help me have the right motive for helping them to walk better with God. This is so that I can hear God better when I try to help them. This is so that the Gospel takes centre stage, and not my own desires.
Reflecting on my own motive when doing something, helps me to draw from God's strength and perspectives. This is so that as far as possible, i align my will with His. When I begin to do that, then I can say to others, like what Paul said to the Thessalonians, that God had tested my heart and I have done this thing not to please men but God.
Rest
Lord, search me and bring to my heart whatever impure motives I may have for doing something. Give me the grace and strength to replace all these impure motives with those that please You instead. This I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Jason
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