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1 Thessalonians 2:1-6
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. In these last days men approved by God are becoming fewer and further between. Notice I’m not saying men who approve God, but men approved by God! Let’s consider some character qualities a man must have for him to be approved by God.
- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE APPROVED? Most of the words used in Scripture explain approval as “being tested and found to be genuine or trustworthy.” In the NT it means “a person who upon receiving knowledge of God willfully chooses to put that knowledge into their heart and live by it.” A true man of God won’t live in Ps. 1:1, but he will live in Ps. 1:2, 3. Read 1 John 4:1 where we find one tested or approved. Now read Rom. 1:28. Such men don’t approve the knowledge of God. This verse teaches us the refusal here wasn’t a result of ignorance. These men had both, the knowledge and power to make a deliberate choice to believe in and follow God. However, they deliberately refused such knowledge. For any man to be approved by God, God must find in that man’s heart a desire that chooses to approve knowledge of God. God has tested such a heart and found it to be genuine. So what does that look like in daily life?
- APPROVED MEN PLEASE GOD – NOT MEN! 1Thess. 2:4. The essence of sin displays itself in the lives of most men through their pride. All men have a circle of other men in which they must be approved. The nature and character of the group often determines the visible nature and character of the individuals. If a man thinks he is more of a man in the eyes of those peers by choosing to leave God “hidden,” he does so. The man does a great imitation of Peter when he denies Jesus three times. The problem is, as Jesus taught, such a man is also asking Jesus to deny him before God the Father. Whose praise and approval is more important to you?
- APPROVED BY GOD IS TO BE RESPECTED BY MEN! Read 1 Thess. 4:11, 12. The word “respected” means to walk or behave properly. As used by Paul it means to live the Christian life in such a way that those who are unsaved will observe, yet not be offended in the way one’s faith is presented. The point is, all a true man of God does, he does in such a way that it honors God first—then it wins the respect of all other men, especially those who are unsaved. Men, do those unsaved men you hang out with know you are a Christian because you tell them, or because you show them?
- MEN APPROVED BY GOD ARE SANCTIFIED! Read 1 Thess. 4:3. Men approved by God know God’s will for their life is to be sanctified, separated from ungodly practices, dedicated to a life of holiness. Ungodliness is not accepted or tolerated in the life of a true man of God. Men approved by God have a pure heart so they present a pure Gospel. Only a sanctified heart proves itself to be worthy of being entrusted with the Gospel. Men, does God approve of what’s in your heart? You know the answer don’t you!
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
