2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

We are obligated to give thanks to God at all times for your sake, brothers and sisters, just as it is fitting, because your faithfulness increases greatly and the love of each of you all multiplies into each other.  Accordingly, we ourselves have a high level of confidence in you all in the assemblies of God regarding of your endurance and faithfulness in all of the persecutions and afflictions that you all endure.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul again uses the word obligated.  Giving thanks to God regarding the example of faithful people in our lives is an obligation.  God gives us people to help inspire us.  God gives us faithful people so that if we choose to do so we can see God in them.  God gives us faithful people to inspire us when we are down.  God gives us faithful people to urge us into greater faithfulness.  But they are absolutely a gift from God.  We need to give Him thanks.

Who are the faithful people in your life for whom you give thanks?  When is it easy to forget this obligation?

Second Thought:

Paul tells us why it is that he is giving thanks.  The faith and love of the Thessalonians is spreading.  In this we have the true measure of faithfulness to God.  When we are living in God, His love spreads through us.  His faithfulness spreads through us.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone gets it, of course.  But His love will grow when we are truly living out of His desire for our life.

In what way has the faithfulness and love of God spread into you?  In what way have you pass on the faithfulness and love of God to others?

Third Thought:

Of course, growth leads to confidence.  Because the people in Thessalonica have grown in love and faithfulness, Paul can be confident in them under persecution.  Paul knows that they will see persecution from the world around them.  But they will have the example of the spreading of their love upon which they can lean.  When things are difficult, they will know how God has been with them already.  When things go difficultly for us in life, it is often our past victories that give us the most hope for future success.

When have you needed to reach back and remember high moments in order to endure persecution?  How does this demonstrate the importance of recognizing when God is active and at work in our life now?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8