Entrusted with the Gospel

“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.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (ESV)

Here are some quick observations from this great passage:

It boosts our confidence. “we have been approved by God”

We, as the Jesus’ redeemed people, His church, have been approved by God.  This approval is not based upon you or your merit.  This approval is not based on your gifts, abilities, or talents.  This approval is not based on your good behavior or your works.  This approval is based on the completed work of Jesus Christ.  Although you did not to secure your own approval before God, your approval before God is secure through Christ.  As a result, you can have an unshakable confidence.  You have been loved, called, and approved, and you can walk in confidence that God has determined you to be satisfactory and acceptable for the work the he has for you.

It eliminates our excuses. “to be entrusted with the gospel”

In God’s sovereign plan, we are his designed plan to share his good news.  He has charged us with the responsibility to make much of his gospel.  The Bible does not leave room for a follower of Jesus Christ to refuse to engage in the gospel mission.  God has placed his trust in you to share his news.  Are you trustworthy with the gospel?  This passage and others like it, eliminate our excuses to disengage from our gospel stewardship.

It involves our words. “so we speak”

There is an old saying by Francis of Assisi that says, “Share the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”  Although I understand the heart behind this statement, it is misleading.  If you were a weatherman and if it was your responsibility to report the weather, it would be necessary to use your words, correct?  Well, the same is true for our gospel.  You are God’s trusted messenger for his message and it requires you to use your words.  Paul says, “so we speak.”  As simple as this sounds, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ requires sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.  Of course our actions reinforce and demonstrate of message, however our actions are not intended to be a replacement for our words.  We are entrusted to speak his good message.

It defines our objective. “not to please man, but to please God“

This is our objective and our primary aim, and this is the source of an incredible amount of freedom and joy.  If you have ever been in a relationship with another person, you know that people are difficult (often impossible) to please, and it can be exhausting and frustrating to try.    But, God has given us his clear word on how we can live our lives to please him.  Have you thought about how amazing it is that the Creator of the universe finds pleasure in us?  Our grand objective is to please our God who has called us to the grand mission of sharing his grand message.