Daily Reading February 22 2010 from 2 Thess. 1:1-12 NIV

Day 43

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 NIV
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ;2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 We are bound to give thanks to God always to you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith growth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which ye endure;5 which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God; to the end that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:6 if so be that it is a righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you,7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:9 who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,10 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.11 To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power;12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Distinction between believers and unbelievers!
Today we begin Paul's second letter to the people of Thessalonica. There is much debate about the time this book was written but many believe it was written almost immediately after Paul's first Letter (Epistle) to these people. The time of its writing is certainly not all that important to us just its meaning and what we can glean from it. We know that all scriptures is of great value because it is part of the life changing, powerful Word of God. Paul begins this letter like most that he writes with greetings and compliments. He notes the growth of their faith as well as the measure of their love for one another. It seems he again attributes these qualities to their persecutions. These people are under intense scrutiny and persecution and it has caused the church to band together and become the united church that God intended. Once again as is so often evident in God's Word, what the enemy means for evil God turns and uses it for good. Paul goes on to pray for them that they can continue to endure the affliction and then mentions the coming judgment for those who are their enemies and therefore enemies of God and the gospel. He states that they will "suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He shall come to be glorified in His saints." Paul again draws on a reference to the Lord's return and continues to have them keep their focus on the promise of eternity both for those who do good and those who commit these evil acts of persecution. Paul concludes these verses with a prayer that God will count these individuals worthy of their calling, and that He will complete the work of their faith with power. Paul mentions that Christ is being glorified in these people and in this church because they have chosen to remain in Christ rather than become bitter and seek revenge against those who persecute them. The bible constantly points to a distinction between believer and unbeliever. We are constantly reminded that God's Ways are higher and we have been called to higher ways in Him. We are reminded when we read passages like this today that we are to pray for our enemies, our accusers, and even those who might seek to kill us for our faith. When all is said and done it is God who will avenge the innocent blood of those who have called on Him. It is God that will pronounce judgment on both the evil and the good. All we are called to do is to stay in Christ and pray for those who are deceived into trying to live without Him. Our challenge is to not behave like the world to be separate. To forgive quickly so we are acceptable to Him who we are living for. Today again we are being challenged to examine ourselves and see whether or not we have risen above the old behaviors, whether or not we are able to stay in Christ even in the face of hardships and persecutions. Can your fruit be readily seen even at a distance? Are you glorifying God in your every day living?

Blessings,

Pastor Larry