Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”
Our Bible verse for today: “As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Relationships must have priority over lessons.”
The Apostle Paul was an outstanding teacher, a passionate evangelist, and an exceptionally hard worker for the Lord. He was also very wise in the way he dealt with the people he cared about the most. Paul established a pattern in his ministry that put the priority on building relationships with people first, and becoming their teacher after that.
Paul’s first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica is a good example. He was concerned about them and he recognized an urgent need to teach them important truths about living the Christian faith. But rather than jumping right into the vital lessons, he spends almost the entire first half of the letter writing about personal matters and of his strong feelings for them. In verse 11 of chapter two he even compared his feelings for them to the feelings a father has for his own children. It wasn’t until he had expended considerable thought and ink into nurturing his relationship with them, that he turned his attention to teaching. Paul was demonstrating the great truth that relationships matter. His love and affection for the people came first, and there would be time for lessons later.
I remember the time when I had just accepted the call to become the Pastor of my first church. I was uncertain and a bit apprehensive about whether or not I could be the Pastor the people needed. My own Pastor – a very wise man – put his hand on my shoulder and said: “Just love the people Jim. They will put up with a lot and they will forgive a lot if they just know that you love them.” He went on to say (somewhat comically) “Jim the people will put up with poor preaching; they’ll tolerate weak administration; they’ll even ignore your bad ties; if they just know that you love them.”
Biblical wisdom leads us to value people over things. People need to know how very much we care for them before they’re going to be willing to listen to what we have to say to them. We must treat people in such as way that it becomes clear to them that their value to us is based on more than just good behavior on their part, or having the right answers to theological questions, or how much time and money they contribute to the church. They must know that we love them just because of who they are. That is Biblical wisdom in action.
God Bless,
Oak Hill Baptist Church 