The Life of Jesus Taking Shape in Us
September 13 | Rick Thiemke
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1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 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. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 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.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
At the beginning of this series, we saw how the church in Thessalonica was born in a difficult environment. Paul and Silas announced that Jesus is the true King, and a new community began to form around Him. Opposition quickly followed and Paul was forced to leave the city. Now, in chapter 2, Paul looks back on the brief time he spent among these new believers.
At first, this passage might sound like Paul is defending his ministry or giving instructions for pastors. But something much bigger is happening. Paul is showing the Thessalonians what a life transformed by Jesus looks like. The gospel Paul proclaimed was also reshaping the way he lived and loved. The life of the risen Jesus was taking shape in him by the Spirit.
The Life of Jesus Frees Us From Having to Live For Ourselves
Paul describes a remarkable kind of freedom. He does not need to deceive or manipulate people (verse 3). He does not live for their approval (verse 4). He does not flatter them to gain their favor or use them for financial gain (verse 5). He does not even need their praise or recognition (verse 6).
Paul’s security is increasingly rooted in Jesus. In his letter to the Galatians, he describes this transformation: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Union with Christ is not merely something we believe about our salvation. The life of Jesus becomes the source from which we learn to live.
We know how exhausting it is to look to other people to establish our worth. We compare ourselves, manage impressions, defend ourselves, and look to success, relationships, possessions or recognition to tell us who we are. Jesus offers another way. As we become rooted in His love, the Spirit increasingly frees us from needing others to give us what we have already received in Christ.
The Life of Jesus Turns Us Toward Others In Love
Freedom from needing people does not make Paul less connected to people. It makes him increasingly free to love them.
Paul says he was gentle among them, “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (verse 7). His affection was so deep that he shared “not only the gospel of God but also our own selves” (verse 8). He worked sacrificially, rather than becoming a burden (verse 9), lived with integrity among them (verse 10) and encouraged and comforted them like a loving father (verses 11-12).
This is the shape of Jesus’ own life. He came “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). And now His Spirit produces that same self-giving life in His people. Love, kindness, faithfulness and gentleness are called the fruit of the Spirit because they grow from the life of God within us (Galatians 5:22-23).
Paul ends by reminding them that God is calling them “into His own kingdom and glory” (verse 12). This is where the whole passage is headed. The King who gave Himself for us is forming a people who increasingly resemble Him.
So where are you still working hard to prove yourself, protect yourself, impress others or gain their approval? Bring those places honestly to Jesus. Rest again in who you already are in Him, and ask the Spirit to allow the life of Jesus to flow more freely through you.
Another King is forming another kind of people. His life is taking shape in us.
Discussion Questions
Where do you find yourself looking to other people for approval, worth or a sense that you are okay?
How does being secure in Christ free us to love others without needing something from them in return?
Where do you sense the Holy Spirit inviting the life of Jesus to take greater shape in you right now?