Saturday 22nd February
Read 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5
“So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labours might have been in vain.” (NIVUK)
Why would anyone take up a faith where those who were its ambassadors warned them that life would be rather challenging if they believed? What does that tell you about the truth of the gospel or the persuasiveness of its ambassadors? When we tell others the good news of the gospel should we share it with a ‘warning label’?
