Daily Devotional Tuesday 6th July 2021
by William Moody
2 Thessalonians 1
Greeting
1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,1 as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
The Judgment at Christ’s Coming
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 from2 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.
Footnotes
[1] 1:3
Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
[2] 1:9Or destruction that comes from (ESV)
Paul writes this 2nd letter to the Christians in Thessalonica to deal mainly with the issue of Jesus’ Second Coming. Paul begins the letter with a greeting (v1-2) and then with words of encouragement for their continued faithfulness (v3-4). Spiritually they were a growing people, developing in faith, love and patience even in the midst of trials. Are you growing like this? Has your faith in God, love for Christians and patience in trials grown recently? Let us pray for such growth.
These marks of faith, love and patience don’t earn salvation but are a result of it. They are signs that these people are counted worthy of the kingdom (v5). The Thessalonians are encouraged to go on as they will be rewarded for their faithfulness, rescued from their trials, their enemies will be punished and they will enter perfect rest soon. Trials and difficulties are only for a moment when we’re in Christ.
This Second Coming will be one of glory and majesty and everyone will know (v7-8). Paul is urging the Thessalonians in the light of these events to have lives that will glorify Christ (v11-12).
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