May 23, 2018 - - I Thessalonians 2:1-6 Cowardly or Bold

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but 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.
I Thessalonians 2:1-6

Whenever and wherever we speak the Gospel, we are to be bold for Jesus. It can be very tempting to gauge the response of the audience and temper our reply according to how the Word is received.

A. N. Martin had a very good into this. The quotation that follows is specifically for preachers, but I believe all of us as Christians can benefit from what he writes.
               the apostle could say, conscious that the ministry of the
               Gospel was a stewardship as stewardship is predicated
               on the *approbation of God, as stewards responsible to
               keep in trust that which has been given to him. Not to
               alter it not to reshape it, not to refashion it and he says
               in that consciousness so we actually speak not as
               pleasing men. Now, if in our speaking there are certain
               men that are pleased, fine! But he said in speaking our
               aim is not to please men, but it is to secure the good
               pleasure of this God, Who tries our hearts, who knows
               every secret winding of every desire and motive, every
               glance at someone whose wrath you may fear and who
               causes you to hold back that sentence that you know
               would nail them to the pew. He proves your heart and He
               knows whether you’re being a good steward of the
               message given or you’re being a spiritual coward and a
               poor steward of the Living God.
              [*approbation: approval, praise]
                       ~from Lecture: "Deliverance from the Fear of Men

If you think this makes a Christian too harsh, too rigid, read on in I Thessalonians 2 where Paul describes his ministry as gentle as a nursing mother.

Father, forgive us for the times we have been cowardly in speaking the truth in love. Forgive us for the times we have blunted the Good News about Jesus in order to win the approval of others or by blunting it have tried to lessen the disapproval we anticipate receiving from the audience. We desire to declare the Gospel of God in the power of the Spirit in such a way that people will both hear the truth and see how dear they are to us.  In our lives, Lord, be glorified and by our testimony and obedient godly living gather in many people to the glory of the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of the Son You love, our Savior and King--Amen.