Paul loved the courage and growth that the church of Thessalonica had shown in the face of difficulties and trials. He perhaps felt a burden that his time with them had been so short. It seemed that there were many heretics attempting to create fear and doubt in their hearts. Not that different from our world except, we have the Bible readily available if we choose to read it. Paul had gotten back a report again concerning some of the churches difficulty in understanding the wrath, judgement and triumph surrounding the Day of the Lord. Additionally, they wanted to understand more as to when this could occur and ascertain they had not missed it. As Paul continued to explain this, he gave a beautify exhortation as to the purpose of it all. That the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be Glorified.
Surrender In Faith: the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Glorified
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ 2 Thessalonians 1
There is a lot to unpack in these two verses, for they are rich in theology. But that is not unusual with Paul. So, where do we begin? Well, lets begin with the beginning of this chapter. It is always good to begin in the beginning.
The Salutation
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.
The true church are those who are in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we are sealed unto the day of promise by the Holy Spirit. We are then “in Christ”. Think of this. He is in us. We are also filled by the Holy Spirit. So, God is in us. Additionally, we are in Christ who is one (united) in the Father. That is a lot of protection. He is in us. And surrounds us with His magnificent power to overcome.
Therefore, grace and peace are ours. A Gift from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Manifest Evidence of God’s Righteousness and the Name Of Jesus Christ Glorified
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and [a]tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest[b] evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
So, here Paul commends this little church for their faith, their growth, and their love toward each other. He goes so far as to say he boasts of them to other churches, presenting them an example of true faith. Part of their exemplary faith comes from the demonstration of patience and faith while surrounded by a multitude of persecution and tribulation. He goes further to say that their suffering is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God. Tried as though by fire, until every blemish of sin is removed. The name of the Lord Jesus Christ Glorified through their faith shining forth as light into the darkness of the world.
The Certainty of Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ
whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:30
That is a certainty. He is always about the work of our Sanctification—transforming us into the image of His son. This He never stops doing from the day we first accept Him until the day when the work is completed, and we stand before the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ Glorified. Therefore, because He loves us, we suffer that we might grow. Otherwise, we become too complacent with our own search for love and happiness in all the wrong places. So, we face persecutions and tribulation as manifest evidence of the righteous judgement of God. And so we might be counted worthy, even though on our own we are not worthy.
For we are bought with a price as told in 1 Corinthians 6:20. Therefore, He has also chosen to cloak us in His righteousness. We then have a righteousness, not our own. He then transforms us into that image of righteousness.
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [b]by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3 (NKJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in Judgement
Some even then wanted to say, God would never punish the unrepentant sinner. After all isn’t He love? Yet, we who have been cleansed and washed by the Blood of Jesus, must face pain and suffering as part of our transformation to righteousness. If God then gave a blanket pardon to the rest, would we think it fair? No. We would not. Neither would we think it fair that evil go unpunished.
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with [c]tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who [d]believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
One day
He will return and set up His Kingdom. What is the final purpose of it all?
That the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified to the Glory of the Father and the Holy Spirit.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1
Colossians 1
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
That ye might walk Worthy
There we have that again. That we might walk worthy as though we must obtain worthiness. However, that is not what it means. It means, let our life so reflect the light and the transformation. Were we to see a very rich man or woman walking around in filthy rags and no baths, we would not believe them worthy? In other words, to walk worthy is to walk in a manner that displays who we are in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ is returning in full judgment, why do we think we can do a better job of revenge against an enemy than He can. If we are forgiven of all our sins against Him, what is so grave an offense another can perpetrate against us that we cannot forgive them?
And so, we are back to this prayer which Paul prayed for the church.
1 Thessalonians 1:11-12
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Count you worthy. It is His grace that counts us worthy, with all our unworthiness and shame. Only He can fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power. When we understand this and are so mesmerized by Him, the name of the Lord Jesus Christ is glorified in you. In every action, every deed, every prayer. And you are glorified in Him according to the Grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hannah is an example of that.
After years of pleading with God, desiring a baby, she decided to promise to give God that first born for His service. So, when Samuel was born, she determined to do as promised. When he was two or three, she took him to Eli the priest and left him there. Her only chance to see him would be once a year as they made the journey to worship God. Still, this was her prayer and I think we can learn a lot from it.
And Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; My [a]horn is exalted in the Lord. [b]I smile at my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation. 2 “No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 3 “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed. 4 “The bows of the mighty men are broken, And those who stumbled are girded with strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased to hunger. Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble. 6 “The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. 7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. 8 He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. “For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, And He has set the world upon them. 9 He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. “For by strength no man shall prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to His king, And exalt the [c]horn of His anointed.” I Samuel 2:1-10
Concluding thoughts
Think of this, she just left her young baby boy. Yet, little did she know it would be her son who lead the nation out of darkness. One of the greatest priest, judge, and prophet of the Bible. So when the world looks all upside down, remember this. God is on His throne. Knowing all things will work together for good, stand firm in hope and joy. The more we trust Him, we become the light which shines forth the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Glorified.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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PREVIOUSLY
DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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