2 Thessalonians 2:13

2 Thessalonians 2:13

And we are obligated to give thanks to God at all times regarding you all, brothers and sisters having been loved by the Lord, because God chose you all as first fruits into salvation in a sanctification of the Spirit and a faithfulness of truth …

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Once more we hear Paul connect the words “obligated” and “give thanks.”  For Paul, this isn’t something that we should do.  Neither is this something that we feel like doing.  This is an obligation.  We give thanks for those who God has given the opportunity to love truth and who have claimed that love of truth.  In a world full of people in whom rejection is a default position, we are indeed obligated to give thanks to God whenever someone overcomes that natural position.

Do you give thanks for people who believe the truth?  What does that look like for you?

Second Thought:

We were chosen by God as first fruits.  So what is our response?  We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit.  We are spiritually renewed.  Daily we struggle against sin and daily we heed God’s call to imitate Him.

How do you heeds God’s call for your life?  How do you daily struggle against sin?

Third Thought:

Sanctification is not the end, though.  We are also called into a faithfulness.  God wants us to be obedient to the truth.  We are not just to struggle against sin.  We are to go forth and act.  We are to be an example of righteousness in this world.

Do you believe that you can be an example of righteousness?  What does this look like in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15