1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (NRSV)
Read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, Verse 2but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. Verse 3For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, Verse 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. Verse 5As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; Verse 6nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others,
Verse 7though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. Verse 8So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.
Devotion
I have often been surprised at how babies affect intelligent people—causing us to babble and coo and smile and listen intently for anything that might sound like “Momma” or Dadda” or something resembling a word. We even delight in the little one’s burps. It is all part of the process, starting with simple things and lovingly encouraging each small step of growth.
More than once Saint Paul refers to Christians as infants in the faith, those who must babble before they speak, who must crawl before they walk, who must be lovingly encouraged in each step.
But eventually, babies must grow up, to stand, to feed themselves, to have chores around the house, to swing at real pitches, to take responsibility for their sins and mistakes. Out of love, Paul shares both the Gospel and himself with these young Christians as they grow in the Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Parent, who delights in the coos and giggles of babies, who patiently encourages your children through each baby step, help us to grow in faith. May we also delight in and be examples for those just learning to walk in faith. Amen.