2 Thessalonians 1:3-5
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
I was so exhilarated by Paul’s joyous statement to the Church in Thessalonica of their faithfulness to God and ever increasing love for each other. Sounds like a body of believers I would love to be a part of because I often feel it is something we really miss in today’s selfish world. What struck me as odd was his next statement about how the Church persevered in trials and persecution! If we are faithful and growing in love, why would God permit persecution and trials in our lives? Shouldn’t we be blessed with the opportunity to share this same faith and love with those around us and show people what true joy is? What is God speaking to us today through his Word?
To every story there is always a fairytale ending, at least in children’s books. As we grow up, we start to see the brokenness in the world and accept the bleak reality that there are no fairytale endings. In Christ however, there is a fairytale ending and it is more beautiful than any we have seen, heard or read. However, Christ is a fairytale to the world and we as His followers will always be plagued with people trying to shake us out of our misguided faith. This results in persecution and trials and they are not bad because being Christian is being Christ-like and that means living a life that Christ lived and acting and responding like Him. As we share our joy and faith with those around us like the Thessalonians, we will hit resistance and our response shows our faith. Are you suffering persecution and trials in your life because of your faith? May I direct you to the cross to find your hope and joy in Jesus Christ who overcame the world for us.
In His Loving Service,
ServantBoy
2 Thessalonians 1:11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power
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