Tag: Jesus is coming
God’s sanctifying work
Scripture reading for September 18: 1Thessalonians 5
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-23
As Paul concludes his letter, he gives some very basic instructions on being prepared for the return of Jesus Christ. We have a part in this preparation and the progressive nature of sanctification taking place as we submit to Jesus and live lives of increasing holiness and separation from the world and our old nature. Our part is to respect God’s authority and gift to us in the form of pastors and elders and apostles. It is not a matter of personal preference, but honoring them for their work done in loving obedience to our Lord. Each person should seek to live in peace and admonish those disrupting that peace. We must be patient, kind, and loving towards one another. The fruits of God’s Spirit should be evident and the gifts of the Spirit allowed and tested against the Word of God and Spirit of Christ. Evil must be avoided and confronted.
But God also does His part in the process of sanctification. He gives us His Holy Spirit to convict us when in sin, to encourage us when weak, to guide us in obedience and prepare us for Christ’s return. Paul’s prayer is that each believer would be brought to completion in spirit, soul, and body and presented blameless in Christ to our Lord. Amen!
As you survey your own walk in relation to this passage of God’s Word, how would you rate your progress in applying God’s Word to your own life and relationships? Are you listening to those who are over you in the Lord and respecting them for their work? Are you listening to the Holy Spirit as He prepares you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for those over me in the Lord and their labor of love. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit in leading me and guiding me into truth and repentance where needed. I am trusting You for my complete sanctification in spirit, soul and body at Christ’s soon return. Amen.
Our Hope, Joy, and Crown!
Scripture reading for December 2: 1st Thessalonians 1-5
“They tell us how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead–Jesus, Who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1st Thessalonians 1:9-10) Every chapter of this short letter has a reference to Jesus Christ’s return. Believers are focused on the greatest event that can happen to them, the return of Jesus Christ! Jesus is alive and He rescues us from the coming wrath of God!
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” (1st Thessalonians 2:19) Paul was expecting a reward when Jesus came back. We should too! Every soul who has been saved through our ministry or giving to the Lord will bring joy and a crown and glory! This is the hope that we have as Christians!
“May He strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones.” (1st Thessalonians 3:13) Paul prayed for strength in these believers’ hearts so that they would be able to stand before the Lord when He does appear. It will be a glorious time for those who are ready. Purity and holiness are required to see the Lord and to stand before Him! May God strengthen our hearts today in preparation for that fast-approaching day!
“For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will arise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1st Thessalonians 4:16-17) Jesus is personally coming back for those who have trusted in Him. The dead rise first to receive glorified bodies. Then we who are alive will be caught up and instantly changed. This will happen in an instant at the shout of the archangel and the trumpet call of God. It will catch many by surprise!
“May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One Who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1st Thessalonians 5:23-24) Thankfully, Paul prays again for the Thessalonians. (And us as well.) Thankfully, Jesus Christ is faithful and He will keep us blameless! What comfort! Amen!
Sunday rest and reflection: wise living!
Dear Friends, Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the only wise God! What a day to be alive and learning to know and love God! The signs are everywhere of the last days and God’s Word tells us to live wisely and make the most of our time as we see the Day of Christ approaching. (Ephesians 5:15-16) Those who are righteous will become more righteous and live by the Spirit, following Christ more closely. Those who are wicked will become more wicked, following their own flesh and the evil spirits of this world more closely. (Revelation 22:10-11)
As we read Proverbs, we are exposed to wisdom for successful daily living. The proverbs were wise sayings and nuggets of God’s truth that would help to discern the right path. These truths were particularly helpful to youth and children who were beginning their walk through life. Parents were to teach their children wise living. They taught by impressing truth on the hearts of the young during daily meals, Sabbath day church gatherings, work, and sharing at bedtime around the fire.
According to God’s Word, wise living always centered on loving God and obeying His commandments. This wisdom has it’s beginning in a deep respect for God as Creator and giver of life! The term used in Scripture is the ‘fear of the Lord’. Parents teach the ‘fear of the Lord’ by their attitude towards God and God’s house. Regular church attendance and worship is a good indication of a desire to live wisely. Daily study of the Word of God and prayer are spiritual disciplines that indicate a desire to know God’s will in order to submit to it and obey it. Wise living honors God’s Word as the rule of faith and practice. We treat it with respect and believe it is truth–all of it! When we cut out parts of the Bible because it doesn’t line up with what ‘science’ teaches or with what we want to believe, then we have lost our fear of the Lord and our ability to know truth. This is a dangerous place to be!
In the last days, men will refuse a love of the truth, believe a lie, and end up in damnation. (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12) When we have no fear of God or His Word, a delusion of deception blinds us even further. We lose our ability to discern right from wrong. We end up delighting in wickedness and going to our destruction. Now is the time to press on to know the Lord and live wisely in obedience and faith. Jesus is coming soon! (Revelation 22:20)