Based on 2 Thessalonians 1 (New King James Version)
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 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. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 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, 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.
Zig Ziglar said: “It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through.” Our passage today and this quote have a lot to do with each other. We live in a world that does not stop for anything. Time does not stand still. Sometimes, it seems like time is progressing faster and faster than ever before. Because of the reality that time does not stop, then it’s good to take a moment and think about what exactly you are doing here and now. What is happening in your life?
Since time does not stop, something is always happening. The universe and our world continually change. Things and people come and go. Because of this, one thing is certain, time will continue moving forward and your decisions and actions will take you somewhere; one way or another. Just because you don’t think that you are not making any life-changing decisions, or that life for you seems to be the same, it does not mean that things stop changing. And no matter how immovable you think you are, the reality is that you are floating in the middle of a very strong current, like a leaf in torrential rapids. Therefore, deciding and carrying out a decision will take you somewhere; no matter what that decision is. And, not making a decision will take you somewhere just the same.
In our quote today, we read of three elements: character, commitment, and discipline. Based on those three, something gets you out of bed, something pushes you into action, and something propels you forward; towards something. And even if you try to not do anything; like staying in bed, or taking any meaningful action, or not following through with something; the current will still take you somewhere. The question is where? Where are your decisions taking you? Where is your lack of action taking you?
So, our first questions could be: “What comprises your character, commitment, and discipline?” What have you shaped your character with? What are you committed to? Where does your discipline come from? In today’s passage, we read Paul expressing great joy and satisfaction with the conduct of the Thessalonians. He acknowledges the things that they have been through, and how they continue moving forward, no matter what. And with that, he mentions that God will do even more in their lives if they continue moving forward. Paul also expresses that the opposite will happen with those that do not want to follow God, and do not desire to obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The current of reality is propelling every single one of us towards the inevitable; towards the end of our human existence. And depending on what we do with our lives, the decisions that we make, is what will determine what happens now and in eternity. For every action, there is a reaction. For every cause, there is an effect. Most of the time, people think that sin has no effect on them. They think that because they don’t see anything happen right away, that everything is fine. That is not the case. The greatest mistakes ever committed are the ones that you don’t see immediate effects. Sometimes, it takes years for things to surface; but they will. People think things turned out just fine because nothing seemed to have gone wrong right away; but they will go wrong. And the worst part of that is that when the ramifications do present themselves, there will be no turning back. The ramifications will have affected you personally, your loved ones, and everything that you touch. But the worst of all circumstances is when you realize the wrong that you have done and you are standing before the Throne of God, and there is nothing that can save you. You can’t go back and ask for another opportunity. You have no more time left.
No matter how much people try to do away with God, with His Word; there is nothing that will change the inevitable. Many people will learn the hard way, unfortunately; that the universe and eternity is not based on their opinion. Money can’t change the inevitable. Any kind of physical power is useless. And fame will not win you any special favors. You can do whatever you want and be whatever you want to be, but you should know that everything has a consequence. God is God. Jesus Christ is the only path to eternal salvation. And following Him as the Lord and Savior of your life is the only thing that will change your circumstances here and in eternity, where it really matters. Other than that, you are on your own.
So, since something is going to happen to you, whether you have a say in it or not; wouldn’t it be better to entrust your life and lifestyle to a God that loves you, and cares for you? Shouldn’t you trust Someone that does have the power to give you eternal life and more; than to continue doing things your way, or away from God where you have absolutely no real power to do anything or change anything? Lord bless! John