God’s love builds unity

Even a brief study of church history sadly reveals conflicts resulting in divisions and new denominations — giving the body of Christ a bad reputation. I cannot make excuses because I know how easily our spiritual enemy can dupe us into false ideas about God and one another. Both accusations ruin unity.

When I read 1 Thessalonians, I’m blessed by Paul’s attitude toward the Christians at Thessalonica. If all of us throughout the ages had followed his example, our unity in Christ would be far more evident. Unity is there, but it certainly does not get the same press as our divisions and disagreements.

Today Paul describes his attitude . . .

“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. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 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. For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4–13)

Paul’s priority was to please God. He did not have a personal agenda nor was he side-tracked by ego-flattering goals like a fat salary or a huge congregation. He did not care about ratings or being exalted as pastor-of-the-year. All he wanted was to share the Gospel, not be a burden to anyone, remain a godly person and work in a loving way so that others became godly people. This is so straightforward that I can easily see how it applies to my own life.

“For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:4–8)

Paul was not worried about his own reputation either. If this church did not do well, he was concerned about them, not his success rating. Their steadfastness was a great comfort to him, not for his sake but theirs.

I can also easily see how this applies to me. I’ve led many Bible study groups and realize that there is a fine line regarding my motivation for the success of those in the groups. Do I want them to obey God and do well because it glorifies the Lord? Or because it makes me look good? Being selfishly motivated can be subtle but in the case of Paul, it just is not there. He was motivated by the love of God for the spiritual well-being of those he served . . .

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:12–13)

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Lord Jesus, this has been a challenging week as the prayer group I’m leading has experienced spiritual attacks to confuse and thwart our efforts. I’m thankful that You can increase our love for You and for one another. I’m also glad that You establish holiness and hold us blameless because of Your sacrifice for us. We get confused, but You clarify. We stumble and fall, but Your hand reaches out to pull us up and enable us to keep going. We struggle with the burdens of today, but You encourage us with the promise of Your return and the hope of living forever with You. Thank You so much. Amen.