Saturday, July 30, 2016

Glorying in You for Patience and Faith 2 Thessalonians 1:4


As Paul greeted the Thessalonians in his second letter, he told them he “was bound to thank God for” them “because” their “faith grows exceedingly, and the charity of every one of” them “toward each other abounds”. In chapter one and verse four of his letter, Paul said he and his companions “glory” in them for their “patience and faith” where we read:

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience
and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:

The verse begins, “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience
and faith...” Paul began with the words, “So that we ourselves” which refers to Paul and his traveling companions “glory” or “bask, boast, joy and rejoice” “in you” which refers to the Thessalonian church members “” “in the churches” which is the Greek word “ekklēsia” and means “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place or an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting” “of God” or “the Godhead bodily and trinity comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “for your patience” or “steadfastness, constancy and endurance” “and faith” which means “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”. Paul and his traveling companions “rejoiced” over the “steadfastness and constancy” as well as the “beliefs” of the Thessalonians.

The verse goes on to say, “...in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure:” Paul went on to add, “in all your persecutions” which means “maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage and abuse ” “and tribulations” which literally means “pressing, pressing together or pressure” and metaphorically means “oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress and straits” “that you endure” which refers to the Thessalonian church members “holding erect and firm, sustaining, and bearing”. The Thessalonians suffered “mistreatments” and “oppressions” because of their trust and faith in Jesus Christ, and they continued to “hold firm” in their beliefs in spite of them.

When we think through these words of Paul, we must admire this young, vibrant and faithful group of people. The Thessalonians suffered “persecutions and tribulations” because of their faith in Jesus, and yet, they continued to follow Him. We should be inspired by their great “faith” and “patience” as they held fast to Jesus no matter what they encountered. Many people believe themselves persecuted because of their trust in Jesus, and some of them “give up”. Let us note how Paul “rejoiced” or “gloried” in their endurance for keeping the “faith” and continuing in “patience”, and may we also seek to be known as the “company of Christians who are hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe our own religious rites, hold our own religious meetings, and manage our own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake”. In other words, to be known as the “faithful and patient” “church of God”.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians how he desire for them “to be counted worthy of the kingdom of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.




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