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Thursday, September 21, 2017

Our Lord is faithful! {2 Thess. 3)



Today we close an awesome week, with the final  words of encouragement of Paul to the Christians in Thessalonica. Paul insists that they  to continue to pray (1 Thes. 5:18) so that the Word would run freely, without any hindrance. Satan is number ONE in bringing this to pass, and some people may become discouraged when facing trials.  But a life of prayer would not only boost their faith, but prepare them to testify and work for His kingdom. These same words of encouragement are for us, too! God has promised that His word would be free and perform its work:  

So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent (Isa. 55:11). But as with many of God's promises, we are expected to take this promise in faith, and in prayer ask God to perform it for His glory!

In verse 2 Paul warns: “ and [pray] that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not everyone has the faith.“ (emphasis mine).  These were those who wanted to hinder the work of the gospel.  Have you ever been in the situation that some Christian people you know,  don’t’ live their  lives according to God’s precepts but this world’s standards? I have, and must sadly say: many times!!  We might not consider them “evil”, but the Word does!

Paul continues with this wonderful promise: But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil oneWe have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things [which] we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ” (AMP)

Yes, our Lord is faithful!  Even if not all men have faith, the Lord is faithful. This was the basis of Paul's confidence in God's ability to establish and guard us from the evil one.

God promised to keep Satan on a leash. He will not allow any temptation to become too great for us (1 Cor. 10:13) and will not allow Satan to do whatever he wants with us (Luke 22:31-32)



Paul warns the Thessalonians to withdraw from any  brother  or sister who walk in disobedience (vs. 6-12,14).  "The present tense of the verb walks denotes that it is a deliberate course of action. Their disorderly conduct is not an occasional lapse but a persistent practice." (Hiebert)

The purpose in withdrawing from the disobedient was not so much punishment, but more so simply to deny them the aid and comfort of the fellowship of the body of Christ until they repented. The purpose was to bring about repentance and salvation in the disobedient ones, and not to condemn them.

Paul continues with words of  encouragement: “13 And as for [the rest of] you, [c]believers, do not grow tired or lose heart in doing good [but continue doing what is right without weakening].” Or “be not weary in well doing”.  (Old KJV)

We find this same encouragement when Paul wrote to the Galatians:

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (6:9 KJV) Yes, although we may find obstacles and trials in our Christian life, we must remember our Father is Faithful and will not leave us nor forsake us and one day we will be with Him through eternity!

"But well doing consists in taking down the shutters and selling your goods; tucking up your shirt sleeves and doing a good day's work; sweeping the carpets and dusting the chairs, if you happen to be a domestic servant. Well doing is attending to the duties that arise out of our relationships in life - attending carefully to them, and seeing that in nothing we are eye-servers and men-pleasers, but in everything are seeking to serve God." (Spurgeon).

  As with Paul’s final words to the Thessalonians, I would like to close today’s study with his Benediction: “16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” “ 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” (AMP)  Amen!!


Blessings my sisters!!

Mari