Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.’ 1 Thessalonians 2:4

‘Why are you doing this?’ Every now and then, as a parish vicar, someone will ask me this. They genuinely want to know what has caused me to give my life to the call of God in this way. It’s a question, however, for anyone who counts themselves a follower of Christ. Why are you doing this? Why do you seek to share the love of God? Why do you speak of Jesus to people who may not know Him? Why do you invite others to church? Why do you give your precious time to clean the church or do the accounts? Why do you sit with those who are grieving? Why do you offer to pray with others? Why do you give sacrificially to God? Why are you doing this?

This question was being answered nearly two thousand years ago, by the Apostle Paul in today’s passage. When he preached about Jesus' saving love and sacrifice, it was hard for outsiders to understand why on earth he kept going in inspite of fierce opposition. Here he explains; he did it not to make money, or trick others, it was simply to please God. He had no other motive. His words and his actions were never about pleasing others, but only for God. How easy it would be to give up when others opposed him. Instead he kept going, with his eyes on the crucified Saviour, and his heart committed to his Heavenly Father. He was doing this for an audience of One.

Why are you doing this? As our society increasingly doesn’t understand or doesn’t know about what it means to follow Jesus, we may be misunderstood. As we speak His truth in love, we may face opposition. At times we may have to admit that what we want most is the approval or admiration of others. Perhaps today, as we reflect on the question, ‘why are you doing this?’, we can ask God to remind us or help us to discover that all we do and say is simply for an audience of One.

Let us pray: Lord God, as we prepare for Your coming, keep us always faithful to our calling, that everything we do and say would be done for love of You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Revd Helen Scamman, Vicar, St Paul’s, Caton with Littledale.