Caring Conduct

Let’s begin with Paul’s words from 1 Thessalonians 2:6-11: “⁶ Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; ¹¹ as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,”  I don’t really have much to say in this post except to ask each of us to read these words and allow words like “affectionately longing”, “had become dear to us”, “exhorted” and “comforted” sink into our minds.  Do we treat those whom we are sharing the gospel with in this manner? Do we really care as much as Paul cared? The gospel is proclaimed in both word and deed.  The life of Jesus was characterized by words and deeds.  Please reflect on these words of Paul this morning.