A Bold Gospel

​1 Thessalonians 2:2 ~ “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.”
 
The Apostle Paul often received the hatred of the world for the sake of the Gospel. His entire ministry is covered in scars, a valiant testimony of faithful endurance that reflected his love for the LORD and the church. The LORD Jesus, on the day of Paul’s salvation, spoke to Ananias concerning this. We read in Acts 9:16, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” The testimony of Paul was given voice through the continual trials he faced. There was no mistaking his devotion to our Savior.
 
Think on this, dear Christian: for what are you willing to suffer? As we consider the text today, there is much that suffering brings when it comes to the clarity of our faith. For you see, a tested faith is one that is proved, not to God, who already knows all things, but to the faithful and to the world. James 1:2-4 states, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The Apostle Peter described the testing of our faith as a crucible to purify it as gold, refined in a fire. “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
 
As Paul relays his experiences to the Thessalonian church, he reminds them of what occurred in Philippi. As our text describes, they had, “suffered and been shamefully treated.” The Apostle spoke of events that had occurred in the past, violence against him and his companions that took place in a city not far from Thessalonica. Surely this suffering should have brought an end to Paul’s adventurous efforts to spread the Gospel of Christ in the region of Macedonia. They were ridiculed, hated, spoken against, beaten and imprisoned all for the sake of Christ. But, like the Apostles that began the work, Paul also rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for the LORD (see Acts 5:41). He was not thwarted through suffering, he was emboldened.
 
But where did the Apostle get such boldness? Was he a naturally courageous soul who could face down the fiercest attacks with a calm attitude? Paul tells us where his courage was found: “we had boldness in our God.” Dear ones, there is no means of ratcheting up the courageous boldness to stand for the LORD without the strength and courage of the LORD to sustain you. Many believe they are of such lion-hearted devotion to the LORD when the troubles are light. But, are we like Peter before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:13, or like Peter in Gethsemane. Consider the bold words of Peter in Matthew 26:35, “Peter said to him, ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!’ And all the disciples said the same.” And yet, at the time of the LORD’s arrest, Peter fled and denied Jesus three times (see Matthew 26:69-75). Think on this: boldness in our God does not come from our willingness to pick up a sword and do battle for Jesus, it comes when we embrace God’s will and do what He has commanded. Paul was commanded to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. His boldness came through because He was walking in faithfulness to the LORD.
 
And because of this boldness in God, the Apostle Paul could do exactly as he described: “to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.” Suffering and conflict are never the stopping points for our faithfulness to Christ. We must never put on the brakes of our willingness to serve the LORD simply because the way has become difficult. For it was in the midst of conflict that Paul preached the Gospel. He did not wait for the issues to settle down, nor did he look for a more agreeable circumstance. The moment came for him to preach the gospel and he took it. Consider how Paul described it in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” It was a wide door for effective work, and the adversaries had no power to close the door. He acknowledged the opposition, but he did not use them as the excuse not to work.
 
Let us take to heart a courage for the Gospel. Let us not shrink back from our submission to the LORD, for in faithfulness to Christ we will find boldness to serve Him. And though suffering, shame and conflict arise, let us persist in obedience to Jesus. For therein abides our victory.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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