Paul discusses things that can bring devastation to the church. Church is about unique relationships with others who are pursuing the Lord longing to be more like Christ. What had happened in Corinth can occur in churches in the 21st century. The Corinthian believers were allowing people who called themselves brothers in Christ, to practice sin and in some cases sin that was unnatural even to those who knew not Jesus. Those who call themselves followers of Christ have different desires then the world and should pursue them energetically. However, some in the church claim to know Christ yet are fulfilling the desires of the flesh. They are to be avoided. In Corinth sexual immorality was not unusual, but in the church an awkward scenario was occuring; a son had taken his father’s wife. So you thought your church had problems. In addition to sexual immorality there were others claiming to follow Jesus and participating in the church who were excessively greedy always wanting more unable to be satisfied and content in Jesus. There were also revilers, drunkards, and swindlers finding comfort in claiming to be a follower of Christ and hanging out with other believers. Paul adamantly charges the Corinthians with cleaning out those who claim to know Christ and continue to entertain the pleasures of the flesh like sexual immorality, greediness, drunkenness, and fraud. Paul goes to extraordinary lengths to convey that the separation is with those who claim to know Jesus yet are constantly entertaining worldly desires. He also points out specifically this has nothing to do with separating from those who do not know Jesus that are involved in worldly passions. You should associate with those in the world for them to see Christ and experience a much better life. Those in the body, the new leaven because of Christ our Passover, are to reflect sincerity and truth not malice and evil.
Truth
A Dangerous Trickster Inside
Paul’s tone seems to indicate the Thessalonians could have misunderstood or misinterpreted why he arrived in Thessolanica. So an explanation follows. It was common in the first century to have professional philosophers or orators arrive in their cities often declaring error and impurity usually leading to deception. But Paul’s appeal is the gospel, which has no error impurity or deception. The absence of truth, purity, and honesty meant the absence of God. God is TRUTH. God is PURE. God is HONEST. Trickery is not the MO of God (OT-Jacob).Paul, in his apolgetic, is suggesting that some people claiming to be teachers will arrive without truth, purity, and honesty pursuing selfish gain. I must step back and ask about my motives and initiatives. Am I truthful? Do I speak truth especially in regards to Christ? Am I pure in my relationships? Do I avoid deception or manipulation in relationships? Am I an adamant fighter of selfish gain? The gospel, which has penetrated my life, is absent of error impurity and deception.
Having “been entrusted with the gospel” Paul’s accountability is not the ears of man, but the all-knowing God who tests our hearts. Paul gives a hint in how to identify narcissistic tricksters. You will find smooth voices able to flatter people with great conversations. Unsuspecting as it may seem inner greed looms just below the surface. Be it fame and recognition or financial advantage, self glory is the primary objective. Typically they forget God’s unwillingness to share His glory with anyone, especially scoundrels. Fortunately, God is witness to not only Paul, but also to me in the 21st century. Do I flatter people? Is greed hidden just below the surface hoping to not be exposed by others, but definitely there? Do I hope to be center of attention? Shamefully I can answer yes, but so thankful for the gospel. Do I recognize frauds who flatter and flirt with greediness? Yikes, this passage really is sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). I do flatter. I do allow greed to seep into my life. I do pursue my own glory. Why would I flatter? Acceptance, selfish ambition, personal gain? Why am I greedy? Why do I crave glory/recognition/praise? Why is the gospel not enough? Paul eloquently explains to the Thessalonians that the good news of Jesus is enough and the gospel is his motivation to give to others selflessly and tirelessly for the glory of God.
Paul was gentle with the believers in Thessalonica caring for them as a nursing mother protects her children. Nursing children are powerless and completely dependent on their powerful mother. Nursing children are vulnerable needing food, shelter, protection. The normal mother would do everything within her power to nurture her children whom God had blessed her with. Paul & Co visualized their relationship with the Thessalonians in such a way. Paul had such compassion for the Thessalonians that he not only wanted to share the good news of Jesus he wanted to sacrifice his life because the Thessalonians were so precious to him. Imagine being loved like Paul loves by church leadership? Imagine loving a brother and sister in Christ like Paul loved the Thessalonians? Imagine being so propelled by the gospel that only love and the joy of serving others found room in my life? The gospel of Jesus is true, pure, and honest giving glory to God.
Footnote – (“Plutarch was so concerned about flatterers that he wrote a whole treatise about how to distinguish between them and true friends.” – Quomodo Adulator ab Amico Internoscatur)
Beloved Brothers
In great contrast to the multitudes of people deceived into following the lawless one, the Thessalonians are God’s firstfruit of salvation. I’m not better than others, but I have been chosen to walk a different path because God chose me as a first fruit to be saved. A Jewish word used plentifully in the Old Testament where people were to bring their firstfruits to God. Here the Thessalonians are considered God’s firstfruits of salvation. God chose the Thessalonians and me “through” sanctification of the Spirit and belief in truth. Through the good news of Jesus I will obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I enjoy Paul’s amusing relationship with those he writes to as he calls the Thessalonians brothers. Paul and Silas were close to these brothers and sisters because they almost received the beat down from Thessalonica’s city council (Acts 17). They had to be whisked away secretly at night to a city called Berea, a city known for its eagerness to search the Scriptures daily. Encountering persecution draws unity and creates relationships as if they are siblings. Paul exhorts them to pay careful attention to what has been taught via their words and letters. God utilizes special men, apostles, whose letters and speech are authoritative. I believe the exhortation was meant for encouragment and comfort as they had been deceived into thinking Christ had returned. Take comfort Thessalonians, my letters and speech are ordained from God and you may know Jesus has not returned, yet.
Don’t Miss These
A succinct article by Harry Jackson explaining how truth has been isolated and betrayed…
eTeacher’s online effort to bring Biblical Hebrew into your home. They inaccurately report that they are the only ones providing Hebrew online with flexibility. Piedmont Baptist College & Graduate School have been offering Hebrew online for almost two years.
Bob Kauflin has to be the most gifted theological musician thus far in the 21st century. His extraordinary knowledge of God’s word and music enables him to equip hundreds if not thousands of music leaders with wisdom that flows from above. If you lead music be sure you read and listen to Kauflin’s Biblical insight. Some of his posts include (Preparing the Next Generation of Musicians, Top Ten Ways to Write Bad Worship Songs, What Does a Worship Leader Do?) Bob has a recent book out that I look forward to reading Worship Matters.
David Goldberg is trying to offer something about the Death of God in his article Goodbye to the Supernatural God. Sounds awfully familiar to Nietzsche’s hypothesis…hello nihilism.
“spread the wealth” hmm A Professor of Economics uses a simple story to explain the result..check it out.
TRAILS From The HEART 