According to a Fox News poll conducted in mid-July, just a few days ago, Americans feel that Christianity is under attack in their country, (by a margin of 56% Yes, 42% No, and 3% Don't Know). 1 What do you think?
The believers in the Thessalonican church were enduring strenuous persecution. In spite of that (or perhaps because of it) they were continuing to grow in their faith and also their love for each other. While commending them for that and thanking God for them, Paul also encouraged them to continue to keep their eyes focused on their Savior, as they endured their awful time of tribulation.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12.
5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from[b] the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here, we see Paul claiming that the persecution that church was enduring was a GOOD thing! Does that surprise you? Paul made the case that when Christians experience "push-back" or full-blown persecution, it sanctifies those believers, making them more like Christ, making them more "worthy of the kingdom of God" (vs. 6). Paul goes on to elaborate about how those who afflict the children of God will receive their fair punishment when Jesus Christ returns. In that day of judgment, our Savior will be fully glorified in us and we will be astounded at His glory.
What does it mean to be "considered worthy of the kingdom of God"? First, let's explore what that does NOT mean.
There is no way, no how, we can be worthy of what God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Ever. God's grace is entirely one-way, entirely a free gift with no strings attached. We can't earn it. We don't deserve it. We can only accept it.
Here, then, is the foundation for "walking worthy". We find it in 1 John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.
Boom! We "walk worthy" because we love Him. True Christians, not just those who call themselves that, are in love with Jesus Christ. His grace provokes that response in us. We have caught a glimpse of who He is and have an inkling of what He has done for us. Our response then is to love Him by imitating Him in our daily lives. That's it. That is "walking worthy". It is not a way to be saved. It is a result of being saved. It is as natural a response to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ as the beautiful fruit that grows on a fruit tree. (Luke 6:23; Matthew 7:18).
This is a consistent theme of Paul's, and it appears alongside his consistent emphasis on the completeness of God's grace. We see the "walking worthy" theme here in 2 Thess 1, but also in Colossians 1:10-11, 1 Thess. 2:12 and Ephesians 4:1-2.
Does Paul pray for the Thessalonian believers to escape their difficult times? No. Look at his prayer for them in verses 11-12. In the New King James version, it is translated as this:
11 Therefore we also 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,12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What if God calls you or me to experience intense persecution for our faith? Paul is praying here that God would strengthen these Thessalonians by His Holy Spirit and that He would fulfill His purposes through them, that through their lives the name of our Lord Jesus Christ would be glorified and that they would see their greatest glory through serving Him. Let's pray this prayer over each other today, Brothers and Sisters! We can't see the future. Extreme persecution may hit us tomorrow...or even today. But, no matter what comes, may this prayer of Paul's apply to us, Jesus's Bride, today and for all our tomorrows, as we seek to follow Him, to walk....resplendent.
Father, there is no greater honor than to be Your child because there is no greater love than the love You have showered on us by giving us Your Son to be our Savior. Your great love compels us to chase after our Lord with all that is in us, to yield to Your Spirit Who lives within us so that Your glory may be seen through us in all that we do. I confess that much too often I have resisted Your work in my life, taken things into my own hands and run the car into the ditch. Thank you for picking me up, pulling me out of the mire and leading me again, with holy patience that is only possessed by You. In Jesus' holy Name, that Name which is above every other name, amen.
Source:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/interactive/2015/07/20/fox-news-poll-voters-want-supreme-court-justices-on-ballot-christians-feel/
No comments:
Post a Comment