Enduring trials and tribulations is naturally difficult. However, if we know that sometime, a little ways down the road someone will deliver us, that can make it easier to bear. The Christians in Thessalonica were going through a terrible time of persecution since becoming believers, and St. Paul wrote two letters to them, not only to instruct them in the faith, but also to bring encouragement and hope in the knowledge of Christ’s return. Let’s take a quick look at today’s Scripture.
When Paul and Silas had left the city of Philippi after having been unjustly whipped and imprisoned, they journeyed to Thessalonica. However, within just a few weeks, the enemies of the Lord disrupted his ministry to the Thessalonians, and ran them out of town (Acts 17:1-10). Not only that, but they started to persecute these new Christians. Within several months, after Paul got settled in Corinth, he sent his first letter of encouragement to that new church, and a short while later, this second letter.
Right from the start, the Apostle reminded these persecuted new believers that through their relationship with Jesus they are in God and in Christ (vs. 1-2). Once someone has accepted Jesus as their Savior, their position in God is secure. Even in trials, such as what the Thessalonians were going through, our identity is rooted in our divine relationship with Jesus, not in any circumstances.
Even though these brand new Christians were going through persecutions, their faith was growing, along with their love for each other, and other believers elsewhere (vs. 3-4). This was evidence that their salvation was genuine. When Jesus told the Parable of the Sower, He described seeds that fell on rocky ground, which briefly grew, but because it had no root, it quickly died. Jesus compared that to those who give up their faith when persecution and tribulation comes (Matthew 13:20-21). These Thessalonians were not like those seeds. They were like seeds that fell on good ground. They remained faithful and committed, despite persecution.
Paul reminded the Thessalonians that God is holy and just, and His justice is not arbitrary (vs. 5-7). When someone persecutes the righteous, He will repay. He will vindicate His people and punish the wicked. I know that I cannot handle life’s pressures alone. Can you? However, I know that I can turn to God and lean on Him for rest, guidance, strength, and wisdom. Burdens are lifted when we share them with God. We can endure all of our trials, knowing that God sees and will act righteously.
Next, Paul described the fate of the enemies of Jesus and His Church (vs. 8-9). Contrary to what many believe, and even what some churches teach, God’s Word clearly states that eternal punishment is real and it is just. Hell is not metaphorical. When Jesus returns, His enemies will be cast into hell. This also shows the lie that everyone will ultimately be saved. As we read in verse 9, we see that this punishment is everlasting. It doesn’t eventually end with annihilation. Knowing this, we must be more diligent in warning the lost, and preach the Gospel faithfully.
When Jesus returns, He will be glorified in His people (vs. 10-12). As believers, we need to make sure our lives reflect the glory that will be revealed. We are to live in a way that is worthy of our calling. This does not mean that God’s call depends upon the way we live. It is the other way around. We should live in a godly way because we remember that we belong to Jesus Christ. Holiness matters. We are called to live lives that reflect our calling. God is the One who enables us to live up to His calling.
The lessons in this segment of Scripture that the Apostle Paul taught to the new church in Thessalonica as they went through persecution, and to us today, as well, is that true believers will often endure suffering, and should do so with growing faith and love. God will repay the trials and persecution they endure with affliction to their enemies, both now and eternally. When Jesus returns, He will bring glory to believers, but judgment to unbelievers. As believers, we need to live worthy of our calling.
Are you suffering for your faith like those in the Thessalonian church were? Remember, God is a just God. Jesus is coming back, and it may be soon. When He does, He will repay those who harm His children and His Church. In the meantime, are we living in a way that reflects our calling? When we are, the Name of Jesus is glorified in us.
No comments:
Post a Comment