2 Th 2.13-17

Psg: 2 Th 2.13-17 (http://biblia.com/bible/leb/2Th2.13-17)
Date: 6/29/12

Read

13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you, brothers dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you as first fruits for salvation by the sanctification of the Spirit and faith in the truth, 14 for which purpose he calledcyou through our gospel for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions which you were taught, whether by spoken word or by letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

Record

God has chosen you … for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ … so, stand firm and hold fast … may our Lord Jesus Christ encourage and strengthen you.

Reflect

• This is a nutshell version of compatibilism. God chose in order to glorify and can empower us to walk, and yet we have a responsibility to act in faith.
• We are not choiceless automatons and we are not the determiners of salvation history.
• This was done by both the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth.
• We are chosen by God for the purpose of the glory of Christ.
• Therefore, our ultimate goal of the Christian endeavor should be his glory. Our spiritual formation, our pursuit of the Great Commission, our life in Christian community, everything.

Respond

• Because the purpose is the glory of Christ, I can stand firm and I can hold fast. If the purpose is my own benefit, then my knees will eventually buckle and my grip will eventually loosen. But because the purpose is the glory of Christ, I can endure anything, stand forever, and hold on without fail. Your glory strengthens my grip.
• CR: When the grip starts to feel weak, first check what purpose I’m hanging on for, then read this passage.