Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 80

March 21, 2018;    I Thessalonians 2:8;    80/260(II);    ‘The Gospel & Our Lives’

1 Thessalonians 2:8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

Christianity is love.  The Law of the New Testament is Love.  The Lord Jesus Christ came because of love.  God the Father sent Jesus because of love.  Our ministry to others must be based on love and not some kind of an obligation.  Remember the love we are talking about is God’s love, a love not based on feelings.  The love of God is a decision we make to love others and treat them the way the Lord treats us.  Paul loved the congregation of the church in Thessalonica.  He taught them the Word of God.  Paul was faithful to do this wherever he went.  Our primary goal, must be to teach people the Word.  That is how they are Born Again and that is how they grow and are discipled.  Notice though, Paul cared deeply for the congregants of that church.  Were they perfect?  No.  Were all of them easy to get along with?  Probably not.  Paul saw their need to not only be saved, but to grow in their knowledge of the Lord.  As he taught them and realized the need they had to know the Word and knew how the Word would change their lives, a profound love and concern for the congregation grew in Paul’s heart.  What an honor we have to share the Word with people.  God’s Word brings salvation, builds faith, and enables believers to see regardless of the life they lived prior to becoming a Christian, the Lord offers a new and abundant life, better than anything they could have imagined.  The privilege we have to be involved in the lives of others, encouraging them in the Word which changes everything.  Plus, our love for them is felt and this love opens their hearts for such great things.