November 27, 2016 RELIEF IS ON THE WAY
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8: “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
What a sobering verse! Our culture has come to a place where the focus is on living for the present with little or no regard for the future, and the idea that there will be a ‘retribution’ some day for those who do not know God and for those who do not obey the gospel, is considered archaic. It must be pointed out that the afflictions that Paul is addressing are the afflictions that come as a result of faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel. Believers who obey the gospel will experience afflictions-some more than others-because those who do not know God do not understand the things of God and what they do not understand, they reject, and those living in darkness react when their deeds are exposed by the light. (John 3:19-20) Believers are to live in the world, but not be of the world, and this not being of the world, sets the stage for rejection and affliction for those who are not of the world. Paul’s message in Thessalonians is that God is well aware of the afflictions that Christians endure, and that He is taking note, and He will one day afflict those who have afflicted His people and He will give relief to those wo belong to Him. God is not a distant God who ignores the plight of His people, but is a God who is near and a God who will right the wrongs suffered by His own. Also, note that God is not going to give just a ‘slap on the wrist’ to those who afflict believers, but He will appear with “mighty angels in flaming fire,” “dealing out retribution.” One day, God will declare that enough is enough, and He will come with relief for His people! In the meantime, we are to remain strong in the faith, and live in obedience to the gospel in the midst of affliction. In verses eleven and twelve, we read: “To this end also we 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 God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let us not become dull in spirit, but let us live in obedience to the gospel, looking forward to His return and the relief that He will give to those He finds faithful.
Titus 2:12-13: “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;”
Blessings, Buddy
PS: Though a believer’s salvation is eternally secure, there will be consequences for believers who do not live in obedience to the gospel. It’s not about sinless perfection, but about living according to the gospel; when we sin, we confess it and then continue living in fellowship with God and according to His ways. Our focus is to be living according to our new identity in Christ.
November 27, 2016 RELIEF IS ON THE WAY
2 Thessalonians 1:6-8: “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
What a sobering verse! Our culture has come to a place where the focus is on living for the present with little or no regard for the future, and the idea that there will be a ‘retribution’ some day for those who do not know God and for those who do not obey the gospel, is considered archaic. It must be pointed out that the afflictions that Paul is addressing are the afflictions that come as a result of faith in Christ and obedience to the gospel. Believers who obey the gospel will experience afflictions-some more than others-because those who do not know God do not understand the things of God and what they do not understand, they reject, and those living in darkness react when their deeds are exposed by the light. (John 3:19-20) Believers are to live in the world, but not be of the world, and this not being of the world, sets the stage for rejection and affliction for those who are not of the world. Paul’s message in Thessalonians is that God is well aware of the afflictions that Christians endure, and that He is taking note, and He will one day afflict those who have afflicted His people and He will give relief to those wo belong to Him. God is not a distant God who ignores the plight of His people, but is a God who is near and a God who will right the wrongs suffered by His own. Also, note that God is not going to give just a ‘slap on the wrist’ to those who afflict believers, but He will appear with “mighty angels in flaming fire,” “dealing out retribution.” One day, God will declare that enough is enough, and He will come with relief for His people! In the meantime, we are to remain strong in the faith, and live in obedience to the gospel in the midst of affliction. In verses eleven and twelve, we read: “To this end also we 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 God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let us not become dull in spirit, but let us live in obedience to the gospel, looking forward to His return and the relief that He will give to those He finds faithful.
Titus 2:12-13: “instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;”
Blessings, Buddy
PS: Though a believer’s salvation is eternally secure, there will be consequences for believers who do not live in obedience to the gospel. It’s not about sinless perfection, but about living according to the gospel; when we sin, we confess it and then continue living in fellowship with God and according to His ways. Our focus is to be living according to our new identity in Christ.
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