Tag: 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-17
Hope and comfort through grace!
Scripture reading for June 22nd: 2nd Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-17 “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our Gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
It is not our works that save us, but our good works and words are the fruit that come from a life of faith. Our very lives in Christ are fruit to God, as He sets us apart by the Holy Spirit after we believe the Truth of the Gospel. Through faith and grace we become heirs of eternal comfort and good hope of eternal life in God’s presence. Our only ‘work’ is to stand firm in the Gospel truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and hold onto the traditions laid out in God’s Word. As we stand firm, we share by word and example the grace of God that saved us and call others to eternal hope and comfort in Christ Jesus the Lord. God’s great love for all sinners is demonstrated by His grace in Christ made available to all through the cross by faith.
Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–“
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for calling us by Your eternal love and grace to a place of comfort and hope. Help me to stand firm in Your grace and hold to the traditions taught in Your word by faith. May Your love flow towards others through my life and testimony. I have good hope knowing all Your promises are true and will not be disappointed!
Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Sealed by the Holy Spirit
Scripture reading for June 23rd: Song of Songs 7-8, Psalm 127, 2nd Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-17 “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Holy Spirit and belief in the truth. To this He called you through our Gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”
Paul warned the Thessalonians concerning the coming deception of the lawless one, the antichrist, who would deceive those who refused to love the truth. But he gave thanks for the believers and encouraged them to stand firm through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would set them apart for God and reveal truth to their hearts. Through the Holy Spirit, God the Father would comfort the believers and give them hope through further revelations of the grace that is ours through faith in Christ. God would establish them in every good work and word, protecting them from deception!
Song of Songs 8:6 “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.”
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, sealing me for the day of full redemption, giving me comfort and good hope. Fill me afresh with the flame of Your love and protect me from deception.
The Holy Spirit brings out the “spices”!
Scripture reading for June 22nd: Song of Songs 4-6, 2nd Thessalonians 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Thessalonians 1:2-5 “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering–. . ”
Paul was writing a second letter to the church at Thessolonica. He sent greetings of grace and peace from “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” He thanked God for their growing faith and increasing love for each other. They were remaining steadfast and growing in the face of persecution and affliction. Even as the winds of adversity blew upon them, their faith and perseverance was evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work to prepare them for God’s eternal kingdom! The spices of their hearts brought a pleasant fragrance before God.
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit living in me. I am trusting You today for grace and peace and to allow fragrant spices to flow from my heart. Help me to be steadfast in life’s daily afflictions and the persecutions of the last days. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done!
Song of Songs 4:16 “Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind! Blow upon my garden, let its spices flow.”