Demonstrating the Love of God

(1 Thessalonians 2:8)

This scripture today is a beautiful reminder about the love of God and the way that the brethren in the church should love one another.

It shows how much Paul loved the church of the Thessalonians and what He was prepared to do to help them as they grew in the faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul and those with him were demonstrating the love of God. They showed their love for the church and the people through their actions and behaviours. It is a powerful lesson we can and should all learn.

Demonstrating the love of God

This is what the scripture says.

”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.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

In his first few words, Paul expresses how he and his fellow travellers felt about the church. They were “affectionately desirous” of them. They felt true affection for the church and they were desiring the very best for them.

It reminds me of the way a loving parent feels about a beloved child. And I’m sure that is how Paul felt towards them, just as God feels towards all of His children.

Paul was demonstrating the love of God both in his words and his actions. He sought what was the best for them in all things.

And as you continue reading the verse we find that the people in the church had, “…become very dear to us.”

In these words he once again reaffirms his love and devotion towards helping the church to grow. Again he wants what is the very best for them.

The depth of Paul’s demonstrating the love of God

The middle section of this scripture is most telling with regards to demonstrating the love of God. He says, “…we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves.”

This is the epitome of the attitude of a servant, but more than a servant, it epitomises one who truly loves and feels for another. To be prepared to give their all for the sake of the gospel and the people they were teaching is the mark of God’s love.

Paul and his associates were not there to take from the Thessalonians. They were there to give, and were prepared to give everything they had to build the church up.

They sought to deliver the message of Gods love and freedom through the gospel and gave all they had to get that message through. Paul speaks elsewhere of his desire not to put any kind of a barrier or stumbling block that might prevent someone receiving the fullness of the gospel. And that is what he was doing here.

Today there are still some who do the same. But sadly there are many preachers and churches who seem to want to “take” from the flocks in their charge. They take the financial resources of their flock, they take power, they take influence and more. With some it is always take, take, take, with little or nothing given in return.

Many Christians today are starving for the truth of the gospel and they are not being fed. Worse, some are being fed lies and the equivalent of “spiritual junk food” that will fill you up, but won’t satisfy.

This is not what Paul did. He was feeding the people the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they would grow and mature as Christians. But he was also prepared to assist with physical needs too. He did not burden the people by seeking his needs from them, but worked day and night to ensure he was not a burden to anyone and rather a friend and teacher they eagerly sought out.

Following the Love of God

So, like Paul, we ought to also follow his example as he was demonstrating the love of God. We ought to ensure that we do not burden others, especially those of us who are called to preach and teach the Lord’s word.

If you are a preacher or a pastor, remember that you have been given a great gift. The Lord has entrusted His people into your care. Let us always remember the words of the Lord that He spoke directly to those of us who are preachers and teachers of the word.

45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. 47 Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eats and drinks with the drunken, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, 51 and will punish him, and put him with the hypocrites; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51)

Those who preach and teach the word should be demonstrating the love of God. They ought to be like the first group mentioned in these words of Jesus, which is certainly where Paul stood. Doing so will win a reward from the Lord.

But those who abuse and overstep their authority to take from the people of God rather than give will suffer the consequences of their actions. They will be cast out as worthless servants because they took what belonged to their master and used it for their own benefit. They were not demonstrating the love of God towards others and this is a lesson we must learn so that we do not fall by the same trap.

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