I Thessalonians 2:3 “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
There is no higher calling, no more critical duty, and no more serious matter than to be entrusted with the blessed and holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For, this precious Gospel is essential to the peace and welfare of the Lord’s Church, to His people, to families, to our way of life, to our society, and to our nation. In writing about false doctrine (distorted Gospel) Paul wrote, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (I Corinthians 15:33); that is, corrupt doctrine leads to bad behavior. It is certain that the Apostles were entrusted with the Gospel on a higher level than the ministers of today are; for, they were charged to accurately deliver to us what they had received directly from God. Ministers of today are called of God and blessed with zeal and understanding of the Gospel that was delivered to the Biblical writers and they are enabled by the Holy Spirit to preach and teach it. The problem is, man’s natural lust for control, personal glory, power and influence over others, human intellectualism, and wealth can begin to overshadow the plain and simple Gospel Truth. Paul allowed that, even he had to be careful with such things; “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (I Corinthians 9:27). There is great peace and joy in living a life of “simplicity and godly sincerity” in the service of our Lord; Paul put it this way, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” (II Corinthians 1:12). Such Gospel Truth; lived and preached and taught “in simplicity and godly sincerity” inspires jubilant worship, loving fellowship, peace, happiness, and contentment among the Lord’s people. We are exhorted to, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” (II Corinthians 13:5)!