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1 Thessalonians 2:3 – A Prayer Commentary – How Not to Build Unity
Prayer Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 2:3
How Not to Build Unity
TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 2:3 – For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive.
DEVOTIONAL: If there is a positive, there is a negative. Just as there is good, evil is there by definition. Paul knew these parasitic preachers who feed off other’s innocence. Spiritual parasites, needing to be leaders, can build and divide in the same way, at the same time: through error, impurity, and deceit. Their increases numerically tear down spiritually through false exhortation, leading to division, evil, and negative results. To purposely wander from the gospel is to be a fraud. He or she may wear nice clothes, but inwardly they are as unclean as their words and ways are snares. But how does acknowledging this bring positive results and unity among God’s people? Knowing that “I” can purposely twist the good into evil is a warning I and others forever need. “I” am not good enough to think I only do good things and have pure motives. When “I” get in the way, I lose God’s unity. God’s way is founded upon the one and only, pure, and true, gospel of Jesus Christ upon which we find common ground.
PRAYER: God, I need help with some questions. What if I willing to compromise to keep a check, build a reputation, and increase numbers by securing my soul on a false foundation? What if I am unaware of my own destructive motives? What if I build by destroying the gospel through creating a false sense of righteousness? As David said, “search me” because I don’t always even know myself. Help me be true, pure, and honest with myself, others, and most importantly with You. I petition you God through Jesus who is the Truth, the Unspotted Lamb of God, and the Only Unique Begotten Son of God. Amen.
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