“…we
constantly pray for you, … 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.” 2
Thessalonians 1:11a, 12
Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica
dealt with certain issues common in large civilized cities. There were pagan cults, sexual freedom was
practiced and there existed a temptation to separate ‘religion’ from ethics and
holiness. This second letter starts off
by commending the brethren of the church for the growth of their faith in
Christ.
With all the distractions that are prevalent in our world
today, it’s a common difficulty for believers to maintain their faith, let
alone cause it to grow. Spiritual growth
is a rather deliberate endeavor that takes constant work. It will not happen by osmosis and it isn’t
automatic. All our lives we are put
through sets of circumstances that test our faith in God. Will we trust Him to see us through? When He does our faith and trust grows. Incorporated in that is our desire to be more
like Jesus in our daily life. Christ
didn’t allow Himself to be tortured and nailed to a criminal’s cross so we
could go about our lives as nothing significant had happened. Christ’s death opened the way for man to
commune directly with God without having to go through a the religious leaders
of the day. Even today we have open
access to God by virtue of Christ’s shed blood.
Because of God’s divine and quite undeserved favor, we are
free of our past once for all time by virtue of His forgiveness. This doesn’t
free us to sin again, but rather to live a life that brings glory to the name
of our Lord. Are you living a life that
is pleasing to the Lord? You can. Draw closer to Him through His word and ask
Him to reveal the steps you should follow to live a life that honors His
name. Dip into the waters of His word
and drink deeply. Allow the wisdom of
God to permeate your inner core. Let the
Holy Spirit within you begin to direct your thoughts, words and actions. Place your focus on Christ and not your
problems or yourself. Develop a
servant’s heart. Treat others with
kindness, patience and mercy, for this is the way the Lord has treated you. Talk is cheap, be Jesus to those around you
so that they may catch a glimpse of God.
In the end you will be the one
who receives a blessing. Until next
time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
NOTE: A city of northeast Greece, Thessalonica lies
on an inlet of the Aegean Sea. Founded c. 315 BC, it flourished after c. 146 BC
as the capital of the Roman province of Macedon (or Macedonia). Today it is a
major port and the second-largest city in Greece.
Reference
– Asbury Bible Commentary
