Holy, Righteous and Blameless, 1 Thessalonians 2

Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica
1 You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. 2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, 7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. 8 We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. 9 Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews, 15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Paul's Longing to See the Thessalonians
17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us. 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

I think I am impacted the most by verse 10 when Paul says he lived a life that was holy, righteous and blameless when he lived among the Thessalonian believers. I think Paul implies here that a spiritual leader or teacher needs to be really careful how he/she lives, especially when they are trying to impact other believers. This past Sunday I started teaching a bible class again and know that the church has expectations for my behaviors as well as me having my own raised expectations. One issue in point is the desire to go to a sports bar to watch baseball or football games or just to sit around and socialize. I think I have a responsibility to guard my credibility and character when I am teaching how much Christ can impact or change someone's life. It weighs on my mind that by seeing me at a sports bar possibly having an adult drink or even a diet Pepsi that I could possibly turn someone away from Christ.

I love how Paul genuinely longs for other believers when he is away from them. I think I have that personality also and become a bit burden when people from church are out or decide to be away from the church for a while. I'm not bothered that they aren't coming to my church, I just pray and hope that they are plugged in somewhere.

Holy: dedicated to the service of God

Blameless: free from or not deserving blame; guiltless

Righteous: acting in a moral, upright way