Verse: 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5
For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed —God is our witness.

Devotion:
I’ll be very honest here. I really do want to look good. I don’t mean physically; I want to look like I am doing well. I want to look like a good teacher, mother, friend, and wife. And I want that for myself. So that others will think well of me. It matters to me. I also want to actually BE a good wife, friend, mother and teacher. But why? Do I want it for my own satisfaction?

This passage is saying the opposite. I think it’s saying that if we look good to others, it ought to be because we are entrusted with the gospel. We do a good job so that if someone notices, it can reflect well on the God we serve, not on us.  And we take that responsibility seriously. I need to examine my own motives, so that when it really matters, when my words and actions have an opportunity to reveal something to another person, it can hit the mark. When we are in a position to speak truth, our motives won’t be called into question.

If my motives are selfish, or greedy, it’s apparent. When I am operating out of humility and integrity, I think that’s also pretty clear. And I can have a positive effect on others when my motives are pure.  When our motives are pure, we aren’t trying to LOOK good to others, we ARE good, because we are living out of the overflow of Christ’s love for us. We understand that our lives are meant to tell His story.  Not all about us and who we are, but of Him and who He has made us to be.

Prayer:
God would you bring to light where my motives need cleaning up? Help me to be honest with myself and others, so that I can be trustworthy to bear witness to who you are. Amen

Author: Emily Costa