You Are Our Glory and Joy

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (1 Thessalonians 2:19 NKJV)

What do you take pleasure in?

The apostles took their greatest pleasure in the conversion and spiritual health of others. They did not want to appear before Christ merely by themselves alone. They wished to bring others with them. In winning others to Christ they were fulfilling the plan of Christ for the church — to preach the gospel to the whole world that some might believe. They had on their hearts the things of God.

Many other things can distract us from this cause. Many Christians carry no burden for the lost whatsoever — and they put pressure on the pastor and leadership of the church to address minor matters. We can simply make it our life’s goal to try and make everyone happy — or at least feel pressured into trying to do so — or we can choose to let God’s passions rule our hearts.

But if we will see things God’s way we will realize that the most important matter is not trying to please people who cannot be pleased, but to seek to win people to Christ who would go to hell otherwise. Do you have someone on your heart today? Do you know of someone who is lost without Christ and needs to hear the gospel and trust in Him? Has God set before you an open door to witness for Christ? Pray that He would so that we might see people trust in Him.