This morning at the What-A-Study, Brian asked, “what’s your credibility rating?”
When you think about credibility, what comes to mind? What causes a person to gain credibility, or lose credibility? When you think about Scripture you can probably name a number of folks who had some great credibility, and those who didn’t. You can probably think of folks in your own life who have great credibility with you – and those who don’t. Where would you rank on a scale of 1-10?
Brian pointed out that even the Apostle Paul had to raise his credibility rating. If you think about it, he was coming in as an outsider. He was someone totally opposed to Christianity and now he shows up wanting to work hand in hand with the disciples. Maybe we should check his letter of recommendation a little closer.
Here’s what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians (from the Message):
1-2 So, friends, it’s obvious that our visit to you was no waste of time. We had just been given rough treatment in Philippi, as you know, but that didn’t slow us down. We were sure of ourselves in God, and went right ahead and said our piece, presenting God’s Message to you, defiant of the opposition.
3-5 God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we’re not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we’ve been put through that battery of tests, you’re guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.
6-8 Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did.
9-12 You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life. (1 thes 2:1-9)
A few things to consider as we think about our own credibility:
- Paul served sacrificially (vs 1-2) he didn’t show up and suddenly hope doing one or two good things would make him credible. it took time and sacrifice.
- Paul constantly checked his motives (vs 3-5) – Paul continually checked his motives with God to ensure he was working and sacrificing for the right reasons. He didn’t work to please man – but God.
- Paul was willing to do right even without credit (v 6) – that can be a hard one. it’s easy to hope that others will see our good deeds and tell everyone about it – but can we still do good without credit. will you still wash the dishes or fold the laundry for your wife even if she doesn’t recognize it for weeks on end?
- Paul was selfless, grace-driven and caring for others (vs 7-8) – Something that stands out in that passage, “We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts.” As Christians our goal is to share the Gospel. But Paul says that despite that calling he wasn’t content just converting people. He shared his heart. Reminds me of Bullhorn Man. Are we simply so enthralled in converting people that we don’t recognize the hurting that’s around us? Are we so concerned about sharing the Gospel that we forget to live it? Sure I can go to Austin Street and share the Gospel, but I don’t have any credibility with those folks until I recognize they don’t have a bed to sleep in or a coat to keep them warm. They may ultimately need the Gospel, but we must also be aware of their physical and emotional conditions as well.
- Paul was consistent in his hard work (v9) – he labored and labored and labored, not losing sight of his goal.
So what about you? How is your credibility with your wife, husband, children, friends, boss and the stranger on the street? How would you rate? How would you rate me?
