The Apostle Paul declares to the Thessalonians that at the very first with them he was like a nursing mother.
What a wonderful word picture of tender love and affection to his new church plant. Who among us can’t recall that image of a new mother and her baby…Praise the Lord!
Our Lord God the Almighty and Ancient of Days on occasion refers to Himself as the tender, even doting, Father with His children of Israel. Yet, only a few chose to follow His ways in obedience. And for them, He too was like a nursing mother.
In contrast, Paul is taking on the Galatians and Corinthians at every turn. There’s no “nursing mother” images in his letters to them. As a matter of fact, in Galatians 5.12 he proclaims his desire that the Judaizers (those teaching keeping the law is necessary for salvation) would “mutilate themselves.” That’s means to castrate themselves due to the circumcision requirement they loaded on their listeners.
Yes, in 2 Corinthians, Paul does say to them his heart is open wide. But that was after a segment of them, not most, had repented of his rebuke and admonition.
So…if we want the continuous tender care from our Lord Christ, even if it costs us our lives, we need to follow God’s commands under the law of Christ.
After all, in the Thessalonians passage here in the second chapter, Paul says just four verses later that he also was like a father encouraging and imploring them on to holiness.
“Jesus our Lord, we’re so very grateful You care for us as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her baby. Help us, Holy Spirit, to follow Jesus in the Father’s ways so we don’t incur His discipline for disobedience. We know this obedience is not automatic since it takes us ‘striving to enter the narrow gate’ to endure into eternal safety with You.”
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
Your friend and brother in fighting the good fight,
Marc
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Saints, we’re one day closer to Home, and Him! Love Him wholeheartedly!
You may view our Archives here: FRIDAY FIRE – ARCHIVES; Complete Archives; feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion. May our Father richly bless you with His grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in order to walk worthy of His name.
Please comment on this post right below. Feel free to write and proclaim your leadings in the Spirit in an honorable fashion.
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