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)
No matter how long you’ve played this glorious game, at some point, you’ve most likely participated in some charitable golf tournaments.
It’s one of the significant aspects of the game. It provides the perfect setting to raise funds for an organization, while providing a fun environment for golfers of all skill levels to compete and invest.
There are always many opportunities during the golfing season to participate in scrambles/captain’s choices. Maybe you’ve played in one of these at a golf course you’ve never seen before. Maybe no one on your team has ever seen it either.
The sign on your golf cart shows you’ll start on Hole #16. After announcements, everyone dashes to their holes with urgency and chaos. Yet, you and your team are still trying to determine the front side from the back side.
Another scenario is when the Golf Pro offers instructions on how the carts should leave for the course. “If you’re on holes #5-9, follow this starter, and he will lead you out. If you’re on holes #14-18, follow our other starter, and he will lead you to your holes.”
We’d certainly prefer the latter over the former. Doing so avoids us from riding all over the golf course with no clue of how to get where we are going.
Similarly, it’s critical for followers of Jesus to help others find their way in their spiritual journey. Whether it is someone who has recently come to faith in Christ or someone who has never been discipled, every Christ follower is called to help others follow Jesus.
The Bible calls this discipleship. Mark Dever, in his book Discipling, gives this definition: helping others follow Jesus.
In 1 Thessalonians 2, the Apostle Paul is establishing his ministry to the church of Thessalonica. He is stressing the importance and necessity of spiritual investment & devotion.
In it, he provides a metaphor of a nursing mother caring for her infant child with gentleness and selflessness (2:7). Then, in v.8, he reminds them of the love and commitment he, Silvanus, and Timothy (1:1) have for them.
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).
This was a significant contrast to the charlatans and false prophets of the day (see vs.1-7). Paul and his companions’ affection for the Thessalonians was real, and from that affection, they shared the Gospel and themselves.
This is discipleship. Caring so much for someone that you are willing to invest in them with the Word of God and your life, so that they may be more like Jesus. May it be so, Lord!
So, the text raises the question: who are you allowing into your life to help you follow Jesus, and who are you investing your life in to help them follow Jesus? You need both! (See 2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Timothy 1:2). Both can be found in the local church and in a Links Players Fellowship.
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to allow someone to invest in my life spiritually and the boldness to invest the gospel & my life in someone younger in the faith. Amen