Put in Trust

The Sapphire Review Vol. 1 | No. 29 • December 6, 2024

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4, KJV

THE GOSPEL

The Greek word for gospel in this verse is “εὐαγγέλιον” (G2098, euangelion, yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on). This word carries a meaning related to good news or the bringing forth of a good message. A message, in a Biblical sense, as it pertains to truth that has power to bring about substantial and permanent changes to the course of a person’s life. Power, that is, if one is willing to accept the truth of the gospel.

This most especially finds an application related to the message of salvation and freedom from sin, which is found through the only begotten Son of the Most High God, our Lord Jesus Christ.¹

However, good news is not merely limited to just this arena. Has not God shed more light of truth into our hearts than just this specific message? When we have discovered truths that have been buried by centuries of traditions and false teachings, have we not received this truth with great joy and thanksgiving?² Has our embrace of this truth been anything less than good news to our souls as refreshing water in a dry and thirsty land?³

Praise God for His goodness in our lives,⁴ and for the light of truth that we find in His Word!⁵

---

A PRECIOUS TRUST

God, who tries our hearts,⁶ has entrusted us with precious truths that are to be shared with others as He provides opportunity. Freely we have been given these truths. Freely we are to share them with others.⁷

These truths are great spiritual riches. Riches that we are to share amongst those who are poor, amongst those who do not have light on the beautiful truths that have been given unto us.

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; And he shall be blessed upon the earth: And thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.” (Psalm 41:1–2, KJV)

Dear reader, consider how wonderful the light is that you have received. Consider how it has dispelled the heavy and thick blanket of darkness and gloom. Consider how many around you are lost in the darkness that we all were once partakers of.

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, KJV)

---

PLEASE GOD, NOT MAN

It is true that when we share truth with others, it will be rejected more times than it will be received.⁸ Whether or not our handling of the truth is pleasing unto God is not based upon other people’s acceptance of those truths. No… our pleasing God is based upon how we speak, what we speak, why we speak, and when we speak.

Pleasing men can come in a variety of ways. One man may speak the truth to many with great boldness and zeal. Yet, if he is puffed up in his heart,⁹ and secretly relishes in the praise that he receives in return for his expressions of superior knowledge and intellect, this man pleases not God but men. This man’s show of religion may be hidden from the eyes of others in the church, but not from the One who knows and sees all.¹⁰

“But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV)

Another may go in the complete opposite direction, never sharing anything with anyone out of fear of what others will think or say about them. They justify their silence with no shortage of reasons, relying more on their own perceived inabilities than upon the One who giveth more grace unto to the humble.¹¹ They go out of their way to avoid the opportunities that would allow them to share truth. As with the first man, though in a different way, this person too seeks to please men rather than God.

“What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.” (Matthew 10:27, KJV)

Yet, in both cases, there is hope. If one sees their faults, repents, and yokes themselves to Jesus, that they may learn of Him,¹² they will find the humility, strength, and grace they need for every circumstance.¹³

---

BRING FORTH THE MESSAGE

There is a gift of evangelism,¹⁴ and not all are called to be evangelists as we generally understand this term. However, we are called to speak and to share truth with love and humility unto the glory of God.¹⁵

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14–15, KJV)

When we speak, so as not to please men, withholding nothing out of fear of opinions, nor puffing ourselves up for vain glory, the messages can be received as the word of God in truth and not of men, in the hearts of them that are ready to receive it. In this way, God is pleased and glorified. It is us who scatter the seed. It is Him who will bring the increase.¹⁶

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, KJV)

---

PRAYER

May God cleanse us from all pride, from all fear, and from all desires to please men. May He develop within us, hearts that are singularly focused upon pleasing Him, bringing glory to His name, and shining as lights for Him in the midst of the darkness around us while we are:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” (Titus 2:13, KJV)

God Bless,

Charles

SCRIPTURE INDEX / REFERENCES

1. Jn 3:16, 8:36; Rom 3:25, 5:11; 1 Cor 15:55-57

2. Mt 13:44

3. Psa 63:1

4. Psa 31:19

5. Psa 119:105, 130

6. Psa 139:23-24; 1 Thes 2:4

7. Mt 10:8

8. Rom 10:16

9. 1 Cor 4:19-20

10. 2 Chron 16:9; Heb 4:13

11. James 4:6

12. Mt 11:29

13. Phil 2:5, 4:13; Heb 4:16

14. Eph 4:8, 11

15. 2 Tim 2:24-26

16. 1 Cor 3:7