For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 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. For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 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. For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-5

On Sunday evening our small group discussed the challenge of sharing the Gospel with others. It is not always comfortable. Often it is easier to just smile and change the subject. We miss opportunities, but we have a great honor and a responsibility to proclaim the Gospel in a world that is more and more often less than friendly to our point of view.

Look at how Paul defends his words in the passage above. If you have a Bible with you underline some of the words within the passage.

To the people of Thessolonica he spoke with “boldness in our God…in the midst of much conflict…not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” No flattery. No Greed. No seeking of glory from people.

Like Paul, we all have places where we can speak, not boast like politicians just trying to win an argument.

Let us look for opportunities to win and persuade others by simply proclaiming the Truth through God’s Spirit with pure motives like Paul.