“You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed-God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young children among you.”1 Thessalonians 2:1-7

Dear Jesus, Thank you for purifying my motives. It’s so easy to slip into selfish reasons for doing church and reaching out to others. This passage where Paul peels back the curtain to show his true heart, reveals that your love drove him to boldly keep reaching out to new people even though it was difficult and scary. Help me to take a long hard look at my motives and to weed out any self-interest that makes me work for money, for praise or for self-affirmation. Give me a wise and discerning heart that purifies itself in your grace and truth and then goes boldly to love other people big. I know you see all my motives. Do what you must to make sure mine are pure in your sight. And when I must invade the life of someone else with your truth, help them to see that my motives were only about their spiritual and eternal benefit and nothing for myself. Amen.

Daring to invade another person’s life with the truth that first offends and then saves, is a great act of selflessness.