1.
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2.
But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3.
For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4.
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5.
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6.
Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7.
But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8.
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
9.
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10.
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
THE POWER OF A CHRISTIAN LIFE
‘Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.’
1 Thessalonians 2:10
St. Paul felt that it was incumbent upon him to bear witness for the Lord Jesus Christ by his life as well as by his lips, and he therefore felt that there were circumstances in which it was imperative upon him to vindicate and to assert the excellence of his life, as well as the truth of his doctrine. His life, he knew and felt, had its great work to perform in the world, as well as his doctrine. His life had a great power in it. So has every Christian life in all ages and in all places.
I. The power of a Christian’s life, as it serves to vindicate and recommend a Christian’s doctrine.—The life of the Christian is taken as a kind of representation of the doctrine of Christians; the life of the Christian is taken very commonly by the world as a kind of incarnation of the faith of the Christian. And we cannot at all wonder at that, for it is so very much easier for all to judge of a doctrine as they see it in a man’s life, than it is for them to judge of it as they see it in abstract forms presented to them; and we cannot wonder at it in reference to the gospel.
II. The power of a Christian life as it serves to enforce a Christian speech.—There are some in every Christian man’s sphere to whom he ought to speak on the subject of a Christian faith and a Christian practice. Every Christian man has a work in this respect in the world. There are some whom he needs to instruct, to exhort, to admonish, to warn, or to rebuke. To do this effectually it is necessary that there should be some wisdom in the choice of time, and in the choice of circumstances, and in the choice of subject, and in the manner of speaking; and it is more than all necessary, to speak effectually to others, that there should be a life more or less in harmony with what is spoken. This is the reason why many professing Christians speak so little to others on the subject of Christian faith and on the subject of Christian practice; this is the reason—a want of harmony between their own life and that which they would have to speak.
III. Seeing that the power of a Christian’s life is great, it becomes us
( a) To inquire very earnestly whether we have experienced it and yielded to it.
( b) To inquire whether we are putting forth Christian influence. Are we commending Christ’s doctrine by our lives? Are those who know us in our daily walk and conversation likely to have some doubts about Christianity removed from their minds, likely to have a weak faith made a strong faith, from what they see daily manifested in our spirit and conduct?
Illustration
‘The only way of getting to heaven, the only way of being participators in Christ hereafter, in His glory and felicity, is by being associated in life with Him here. He said Himself it should be so; that they who served with Him should reign with Him; that they who confessed Him here should be acknowledged by Him there; that they who lived with Him here should live with Him there. He said so: He cannot deny Himself! He cannot recall His word! He cannot violate His promise! He would not do it if He could; He could not do it if He would! He cannot and would not because of His own nature! “Heaven and earth may pass away, but His Word cannot pass away.” ’
11.
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12.
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
13.
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
14.
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15.
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16.
Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
17.
But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18.
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
19.
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20.
For ye are our glory and joy.