Take a moment to appreciate God's blessing by considering His curse.
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Read the chapter in an outlined format
Previous DIG DEEPER posts on 2 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 1 Summary
Paul opens this second letter in almost the same exact manner he did with the first: by acknowledging how their faith, hope and love is producing tangible results that inspire other communities of Christians. Verse 3-4 contains a useful test you can apply to yourself:
Is your faith growing?
Is the love you have for fellow Christians increasing?
Is the hope that comes from your faith and love building up strong perseverance for the trials to come?
Dig Deeper
When we talk or think about God, we're almost always focused upon His goodness, His love and His providence in our lives. Certainly God's grace, mercy and peace are good things to focus on!
But v5-10 turn our attention to an aspect we probably don't focus on enough: the righteous judgment of God. Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel face a fearsome future:
They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord... (v9)
Literally translated, Hell will be a place where God turns His face against those there.
The great theologian and preacher RC Sproul describes this as the reverse benediction, contrasting it with the familiar blessing given in Numbers 6:24-26:
The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Sproul uses this passage from 2 Thessalonians 1 and others like it to communicate the horror of God's curse upon those who do not turn to Christ:
May the LORD curse you and abandon you;
May the LORD turn His face from you and keep you in darkness and judgment;
May the LORD turn His face away from you and remove His peace from you.
As you pause from your normal work and activities for a time of thanksgiving, be sure to thank God for bathing you in the righteousness of Christ so that He could once again turn His face towards you a give you peace.
Here's a synopsis of Sproul's great sermon:
Make the time this Thanksgiving weekend to watch the full sermon.
AAA Prayer :
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our mighty God and Father, who turns His face toward you in grace;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that all you do will glorify Christ who is in you.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
