Glory to Christ

July 11, 2010

Background Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1
Lesson Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – 12

If there were one overarching message Paul had for the Thessalonians it could have been summed up by the statement “In our weakness, Christ’s strength is made perfect in us.” This was the message the apostle received from Jesus later on in his ministry. When Paul had something impeding him and he prayed for the Lord to remove it, this was Jesus’ response to him. Now, the Thessalonians were in need of encouraging in the midst of their tribulations.

Paul’s second letter to the church appears to have quickly followed the first letter. Although he had established the church there, he no doubt did not have a sufficient amount of time to instruct them as he had wished. But the Lord had continued to work in them although Paul was not there to follow up with them in person. Paul received additional information on the status of the new church after his first letter to them had been received and he was now refreshed by the report of their growing faith and abounding love. In fact, their abounding love was the proof of their growing faith. True Christian faith is never in words only but it is evidenced in our deeds of love. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to be patient in the midst of persecution and tribulations. Surely if God had protected them and nurtured them thus far, they would overcome if they remain faithful in there dependence on him. Paul encouraged them to continue to be faithful to God even as he had heard of them. Paul told them that God will avenge their troublers. How comforting it is to know that God has the final say in all matters. He that has already expressed his sincere love for us through his son Jesus has our best interest at heart. God will right all wrongs. Christians never have to fret over those who oppose us with evil intentions. God has the final say on our behalf. He is our avenger for he has declared that vengeance is his. The Thessalonians were confronted by troublers but it was a temporary situation. In time, God makes all things right. We are reminded that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. Our struggle is with the old nature in us not against flesh and blood. We are often weak in the struggle against self and attempt to be strong in fighting human adversaries. This is the opposite of God’s desire for us. God desires that we would mortify the deeds of our flesh and allow him to avenge us of our human adversaries. This self-imposed humility is to be preferred to being made humble. We submit ourselves to God for Christ’s sake. It is Jesus who has reconciled us to God that he may subdue all and place everything in subjection to the Father as it should be. When we who are called by Christ’s name submit ourselves to God, then the name of Jesus is glorified in us. When we are weak, then his strength is made perfect in us. When we endure suffering for his sake with patience, then he is glorified in us.

Robert C. Hudson
June 30, 2010