[Biblemat] A) AS GENTLE AS A NURSING MOTHER

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Friday morn-
ing to each and everyone.  Here is an article from my ancient files:

AS GENTLE AS A NURSING MOTHER

     The church, established in the first century in a pagan world, grew 
rapidly, changing the lives of people throughout
the known world of that day.  Within a few years from the time of the 
establishment of the church the gospel "was preached to every creature under heaven" 
(Col. 1:23).  The
following passage may give a reason for such growth:

     "But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother
cherishes her own children.  So, affectionately longing for you, we were will 
pleased to impart to you not only the gospel
of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear
to us.  For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for lab-
oring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of
you, we preached to you the gospel of God.  You are witness-
es, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we
behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how
we exhorted, and comforted, and chared every one of you, as
a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of
God Who calls you into His own kingdom and glory" (1 Thes.
2:7-12).

     It is possible that Paul reached more people with the gos-
pel of Christ, and established more congregations of the Lord's church than 
any other human being.  This passage
shows for example, why he reached people in Thessalonica:
1) He was gentle witht hem as a nursing mother cherishes her
children.  2) They were dear, precious to him.  3) He labored
night and day.  4) His life was blameless before them.  5) He
exhorted and comforted and charged them as a father would
his own children.  6) His unselfish purpose was to encourage
them to walk worthy of God Who called them into His own
kingdom and glory.

     Would not the same kind of heart, love, and effort have the same results 
today?   ------ Billy Norris in Gospel Guide,
Vol. 27, No. 9, Sept. 1995.   </HTML>
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