Approved by God (1 Thessalonians 2:1-4)

Onward to 1 Thessalonians 2. Let’s review verses 1-4. The Apostle Paul said something that, initially, made me give him the side-eye. He said, “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.” (v.2). Now, the reason why this verse made me question Paul is because of what he wrote in the Book of Philippians.

In Philippians 4:15 Paul wrote, “Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.” When Paul said that he suffered at Philippi, I thought, what is he talking about?

I thought he was treated well at Philippi? I thought no one treated him better than the believers at Philippi. Ain’t no way Paul throwing the Philippians under the bus after praising them, right?

Well, no. That’s not what happened here at all. In fact, Paul didn’t write his letter to the Philippian Church until years after he wrote to the believers at Thessalonica. The suffering at Philippi that he was referring to was what happened to him in Acts 16.

In Acts 16, Paul was in Philippi along with his right-hand man, Silas. While there, a woman with a spirit of divination followed them around, professing that they were servants of the Most High God. Yet, because she had an evil spirit, Paul was annoyed. So, he cast the spirit out of her. Good, right?

Well, not according to some folks. This woman was a fortune-teller of sorts. The ungodly spirit within her allowed her to tell people how to make money—how to create fortunes for themselves. And since Paul cast the spirit out of her, he cast their fortunes away too. And so, they were angry. Thus, Paul’s suffering at Philippi occurred.

He was mistreated and thrown into prison there because he delivered a woman from an evil spirit. (FYI: The spirit of divination in the Greek is translated as spirit of clairvoyance, pythōna, or python … a snake spirit).

I wanted to mention my side-eye of Paul’s writings because … well, it happens. There are times when we read the Bible and have questions. We may come across something that seems like a contradiction or something that we do not understand. Yet, God has never condemned me for having questions.

I am always led to study more. To get an understanding. I don’t have to ignorantly follow Christ. I can ask for help when I am confused. I can seek clarity and guidance from the Holy Spirit to help me understand. And that’s what I have done.

God may not reveal the truth to me immediately. I may have to tarry for the answer. And there are some spiritual things that are honestly, too wonderful and complex for my feeble human mind to understand. But I can always ask for clarity. I can always seek an answer. And I find that the more I seek, the more I see God, and what a wonderful, grand view to witness.

For the remainder of this article, I’d like to focus on this verse, “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). I am sure you have heard this before, but it’s worth reminding you that the only approval you need is God’s.

Wanting acceptance from our family, friends, and society is normal. No one usually wants to be viewed as an outcast or socially unacceptable. Our human nature longs to be accepted by other humans. But I believe this is why God calls us to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh.

The flesh desires to please man, while the Spirit of God within believers longs to please God. And although it is hard to accept, we cannot please both. Romans 8:8 proclaims that the flesh cannot please God. So, when our flesh has this burning desire to please man, it is not a godly desire. It’s a fleshly one.

Deny the flesh. We hear this call. We know this command, but it shows up in ways we may have not expected. We must resist the urge to people please and lean into the desire to please God. And if a desire to please God does not exist in our hearts, we can ask Him to change our desires to match His.

Furthermore, honestly, why should you chase the approval of man? Their approval is just as unreliable and unstable as they are. Their fickleness is laughable. Their report of what is good and what is bad changes quicker than morning can turn into afternoon. They will praise you one moment and crucify you the next. They did it to Moses, they did it to Jesus … you better believe they’ll do it to you too.

And why would their rejection matter either? Name a true prophet of God that was ever accepted by this ungodly world. I’ll wait …

Neither the acceptance nor the rejection of man should sway a follower of Christ. Our hearts should be after God’s approval only. Your very own approval isn’t needed. Because perhaps you approve of something God does not, and maybe you reject what God accepts. Anyone’s approval or rejection outside of Jesus Christ means nothing. It means nothing.

This is why Paul, and the early apostles were able to boldly

preach Jesus. They knew the approval and the rejection of man meant nothing, but the approval of God meant everything. God is the only one who showed us excessive love by extending us grace, withholding His wrath, and sending His Son. Mankind has done nothing of the sort. All mankind every did was sin against God and kill the perfect man God sent to save us all.

Do not seek their approval. Seek God’s. Learn of God’s likes and dislikes, what He hates and what He loves so that you can please Him. Put on Christ so that when God sees you, He sees perfection and therefore, approves of you.

Again, dear reader, though it is tempting to long for the acceptance of man, curb your appetite to appease God instead. And if the appetite isn’t there, ask for it. Then watch God give it to you and fill you with the fullness that is the Bread of Life, Christ Jesus.

That’s all I have for you today. Be blessed and have a wonderful day and week. Until next time, take care.

---

Thank you for reading this week's Write On! Wednesday article. New articles and videos are available every Wednesday at 12 pm. The Now That's A Word! YouTube Channel is here: https://YouTube.com/@nowthatsaword

Have a beautiful day!

Sincerely,

Quin Arrington