But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. (II Thessalonians 2:13-15)
Paul was continuing to encourage the church at Thessalonica, as they endured much hardship and persecution, 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. (II Thessalonians 1:4-8)
Paul also reassured them that the Day of the Lord was indeed coming, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels; but that Day had not come yet, because certain events must happen before that Day comes. ...the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (II Thessalonians 2:8-10)
Paul made it very clear that there are two categories of people, the saved and the unsaved. He stated that the unsaved are those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. The unsaved refuse to believe the Truth, the Word of God, in Christ Jesus as their Savior and Lord. However, the saved from the beginning God chose for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by the gospel. We can not misinterpret what Paul is saying. God did not choose from the beginning who would be saved. He chose how we would be saved. (see Predestined, not Predetermined)
Yes, He does know the choices we will make, but He didn't pre-program us to make a certain choice. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) We have to choose to believe the Word of God, in Christ Jesus. Jesus beckons, Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him... (Revelations 3:20) We have to choose to let Christ into our lives. He doesn't open the door, we have to.
From the beginning, God chose all people for salvation through sanctification; Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4) But how does this process of sanctification work? By the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by the gospel. First, we have to hear the gospel. Then, we have to believe in the truth. Finally, we will be filled and sealed by ...the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) That is salvation, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:9, 17)
After reassuring the Thessalonica church that their belief, faith, hope and trust are secure in Christ Jesus and the promises of God, he continues with more encouragement. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (II Thessalonians 2:16-17) Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. (II Thessalonians 3:1-5)
But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. (II Thessalonians 3:6-12)
As Christians, we should be the example to all unbelievers of how man ought to live and treat each other. We should always pay for what we receive, or at least offer. We should always work hard and faithfully, And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24) We who are physically and mentally able should work, and not expect anyone to take care of us.
It is so sad to see the number of adult children returning home for their parents to take care of them,;or if they are living on their own, expecting their parents to help support them; or have their parents raising their children, and this is going on among professed Christians. The church is supposed to help take care of widows and orphans. (James 1:27) Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God. (I Timothy 5:3-4 NLT) We are to repay our parents by taking care of them, not having them continue to take care of us!
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (II Thessalonians 3:13-15) In other words, if anyone is offended by these instructions, then they have a problem with God, because doing these things pleases God. Don't continue supporting them or spending time with them, but exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. Just leave that person alone, and let God convict them. Maybe they will become ashamed, and then change their behavior in also doing what pleases God, and return to fellowship as a brother.
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (II Thessalonians 3:16-18)
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