“We Behaved Ourselves Among You That Believe” (1 Thess 2:10)

“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe”

Behavior is important. Paul charges the Thessalonians to see his conduct as EVIDENCE that he’s of God, and we must have this evidence too: the scriptures must DECLARE us saved, or we don’t know Christ. It isn’t enough to have a gospel message, no matter how “true”; we must have the message unto good works, the WHOLE counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Those incomplete people who preach and do only part of God’s word need to hear the whole counsel and be taught that EVERY word of God is pure, not only to talk but also to do. The bible is a radical message of NEWNESS of life, and we’re to walk in the new, REJECTING the old constantly (Rom 6:4). Paul gives illustrations of what true religion and preaching is: make sure that you know God this way and be sure that your leaders do (1 Thess 2:1-12). Do not have a Christ that doesn’t PRODUCE these MANDATORY things in His people. Make sure the conduct matches the message, in spite of trials, and you have God for sure.