January 11, 2022 COUNTED WORTHY
2 Thessalonians 1:10-12 “when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed-for our testimony to you was believed. To this end we also pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order 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.”
Only by the grace of God can we know Him and only by His grace can we live the Christian life according to the scriptures. There has been much teaching on grace, and rightly so. However, if other truths concerning our call to live godly in this present world are ignored or not emphasized, we are in error. Note the phrase near the end of the above scriptures: “according to the grace of our God.” His grace enables us to live as He calls us to live. Sad to say, but some minimize sin by claiming the ‘grace of God’ and that He is pleased with them even though they may continue in sin. Romans 6:1 is clear: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live it any longer? Our verses for today give us the right focus. Jesus is coming again-what an awesome day that will be! The most important question for believers is will He find us living worthy of our calling. Paul prayed that the believers he was writing to would be found worthy; this implies that it is possible that a believer could be found not living worthy of the calling of God. To be found not living worthy and to be living in a way that is not pleasing to Him when He returns would be ‘uncomfortable’ for us to say the least. What I have said so for is in no way meant to condemn, but to encourage us to see the importance of living daily according to our calling. We discover our calling as we read His word and as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. We must not lose sight of the fact that He is coming back at any moment; and while we await His return, let us live daily in a way that is worthy of our calling. To be called by God is awesome; the call of God carries with it certain responsibilities for us. God puts within us a “desire for goodness and the work of faith with power;” now, let us walk worthily by working out what He is working in us; let us be living expressions of the love, the grace, and the power of God.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Colossians 1:10 “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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