1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2 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. 3 For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, 4 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. 5 As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; 6 nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, 7 though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. 8 So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. 9 You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. 11 As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, 12 urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
We are to be on the offense but not offensive; we are to play defense, but not be defensive. Paul certainly sounds defensive and we often do as well. Nothing happens in life where everyone is of the same opinion about how to react. Our deep desire for human freedom makes for interesting discussions when someone believes our freedoms could hurt someone else.
How can we as Christians go about the business of bringing the good news into our lives? Some will be offended! We had better say nothing. A new TV show poses the question about what we would do when we see offensive behavior. Say something? Turn the other way? Not be bothered? Walking both into and out of a hospital recently, I saw a dad with nice leather gloves. His daughter had no gloves (about 7 years old). His son had no gloves (in a stroller, about 2). He was out for a smoke and when I was leaving he got into a cab. I said nothing. I am bothered by that. I am also afraid to make comments to people right around my house for fear they could come back and get me somehow. We do not know if we will be considered offensive or intrusive. I am often clueless about how to begin such a conversation, without being seen as nosy or irritating.
Paul came and told the gospel of salvation. Many did react favorably, and Paul writes to rejoice that they are being faithful. But he gets defensive, as well, and points out that he came as honorably as possible, being gentle and not seeking praise. He speaks of how he came to Thessalonica after opposition in Philippi. He asked for no money.
And yet! There were people in town who found something to complain about. They thought Paul to be immoral, a trickster, and greedy. To be on the offense means to bring the gospel into our life situations. To be on the defense is to realize that not everyone will be accepting of our love and care. But in the midst of it, being as sensitive as we can be, comes the one whom we serve. Paul notes that we serve God. We offer our lives honorably to Him. It is odd that the gospel makes enemies. Our Lord died and rose to give life. Many look for a reason not to buy into it!
Paul does not give up. Satan wants us to say nothing, ever, about our faith. We ask the Lord’s guidance so that we are not offensive or defensive before Him. But we are to act, when we judge it appropriate, to bring glory to Him as we care for others He places on our hearts. Eternity is at stake.
Pastor Tom Trapp, Mission Pastor
Walking the Emmaus Road with the Risen Lord!
(Originally published in Emmaus Footprints, Vol. XIV, Number 6, January 2013)