2nd. Thessalonians 1:1-12 " Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST: Grace unto you, and peace, from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. We are bound to thank GOD always for you, brethren, as it is meet (fitting), because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of GOD for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Which is the manifest token of the righteous judgment of GOD, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of GOD, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with GOD to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the LORD JESUS shall be revealed from heaven with HIS mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not GOD, and that obey not the Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the LORD, and from the glory of HIS power; when HE shall come to be glorified in HIS saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our GOD would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of HIS goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST may be glorified in you, and ye in HIM, according to the grace of our GOD and the LORD JESUS CHRIST. "
We have already noticed in previous studies that we glorify the LORD by living a life worthy of our calling, a life worthy of the kingdom of GOD. Today's text describes exactly how to live such a life. First, we must endure pressures and afflictions (vv. 4-6). Religious unbelievers persecuted the Thessalonian Christians and other saints in the early church (see Acts 17:5-10, 13). Even today, unbelievers who claim to be religious hate genuine Christianity. They are doing everything possible to battle against GOD's truth. Furthermore, the Thessalonians as well as other first-century Christians endured persecution from the political establishment (Acts 17:7-9). Sadly, even today in our own nation, many are seeking to silence true Christianity because it is deemed "too exclusive and intolerant." In addition, disobedient and wayward Christians also afflicted the believers at Thessalonica by propagating false doctrine and by embracing compromisers (2nd.Thess.2:1-3; 3:6, 14). Likewise, faithful saints are experiencing similar afflictions today as well. Nevertheless, if we are to be counted worthy of our calling and of GOD's kingdom, we must endure these trials - regardless of whether such persecution comes from unbelievers or even from other Christians !
Second, in order to live a life worthy of our calling, we must live a life of faith, daily exercising the "work of faith" (v.11). Faith is simply believing GOD and then acting accordingly. It entails our utmost belief and trust in GOD's WORD to HIS children. Faith is always linked to the WORD of GOD, for it is believing what GOD says and then taking action (Hebrews 11:13). Are you enduring trials and exercising faith during them ? MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.feasite.org
Julie, excellent post. I love how you link what we are enduring today with the early church. We are forced into condoning things we literally have no control over, such as our taxes paying for abortions and now transgender operations for children as young as 15. I even read where a mother let her 5 year old son make a decision to turn into a girl. What 5 year old is NOT confused and they are not even anywhere near making competent decisions like this that will effect the rest of their lives. We're in a political battle that feels to me like good vs. evil. I've only voted 3 times in my life as I've never cared. I hear all the time from this pastor to vote, another not to vote. I've made my decision but could you tell others what the Bible says about voting? I know nothing directly but we really need Spiritual guidance this year. God bless you always!
ReplyDeleteBrenda, Hi ! As always, we are in a spiritual battle and the devil and his demons, the fallen angels, are overly active and out to destroy GOD's children. Voting is a subject not actually, as far as I can find, taught on but there are Scriptures that tell us about the Governing Authorities and that they are set-up or taken down by GOD. JESUS said to render onto Cesar what is Cesar's and to GOD what is GOD's. Now that was talking about taxes but it also gives us a principle that we are to be good citizens. Whenever you see anyone trying to pick someone, like in Jonah when the sailors were trying to figure out who was the cause of this storm that was worse than any normal storm, they did it by choosing the short straw method and Jonah was it. Also when Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of the LORD, was being replaced they did it the same way. The people were trusting that GOD would show them by the short straw who it was that HE had chosen or who it was that was causing the trouble. Now if we take that and apply it here we can see that we have to leave the final vote to the LORD BUT we are to do our best as good citizens to find out what we can about a candidate and vote for who we think may be a godly choice, if possible. GOD's WORD says that HE can move the heart of the king in any way that HE wishes, so we have to leave the final outcome up to HIM. HE sets them up and HE takes them down. We are to be faithful in all that we do and voting is a rare privilege in this world. In many countries, voting can get you killed.
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