Missing the Obvious

 

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Luke 3:22 ESV

 

Many of us, in the course of our spiritual journey, come to believe that God is one whom we must seek out. We come to believe that he is one whom we must discover. We come to believe that God is someone whom we must pursue.

 

We, then, set out to do just that. We set out to do whatever it takes to discover God. We set out to do whatever is necessary to understand God.

 

While I tend to believe that our intentions in doing so are good, we are missing something. In fact, we are missing the obvious. We are missing the obvious because God has clearly revealed himself to us.

 

We see this, first of all, in our Christmas celebration. We see it there because God didn’t expect that we should come to him. Nor did he wait for us to come to him. He, rather, came to us.

 

God came to us in the flesh. He came to us, born as a baby. And he, then, lived among us.

 

We see this also in the third chapter of Luke. We see that Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized. And, after he’d been baptized, and as he was praying, the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice spoke from heaven.

 

This voice declared the words that we read above. God declared that Jesus was his beloved Son. And he declared that he is well pleased with Jesus.

 

These words were spoken to Jesus, of course. But they were spoken to Jesus in the hearing of all who were there. They were spoken to Jesus in the hearing of all of those who had come to be baptized, as well as John the Baptist himself.

 

In this way, Jesus’ identity was made clear to them. They came to understand Jesus’ identity from the mouth of God himself. They were able to hear the voice of the Father speaking of Jesus’ identity.

 

We learn from this that God is not hidden from us. He isn’t one who conceals himself from us. We learn from this that God is one who comes to us and reveals himself to us.

 

Although you and I weren’t there to observe Jesus’ birth, and although we weren’t there to hear the voice of God at the time of Jesus’ baptism, the same is true for us. In Jesus, God himself comes to us. And God speaks to us, making clear the identity of Jesus.

 

He does so primarily through his Word. He does so primarily through Scripture. In this way, he speaks and reveals to us these truths.

 

And, for this reason, we need not do anything great. In fact, there is nothing at all for us to do. We need only to listen. We need only to receive his Word. We need only to believe the Word he has spoken.

 

Deliver Us From Evil

 

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV)

 

It’s clear to us, as we look at the world of today, that evil has grown. It’s clear to us that evil has become worse. We see it in world events as well as in the actions of individuals.

 

We see this also as we look over the course of time. What was once unthinkable has now become common. What was once absurd has now become very real and ordinary.

 

As we’re confronted with this evil, we wonder what can be done about it. We wonder where we can look for help. And we look to many individuals and institutions to provide that help.

 

We look to our legislators. We do so, believing they can create laws that will eliminate the evil with which we live. We look to the courts. We do so, believing that they can change the moral compass of our nation. We look to the military. We do so, believing that their might can not only hold evil at bay, but put an end to it in the places it is sent. We look to our schools and universities. We do so, believing that if only a better education is granted to more people, they will leave their evil thoughts and actions behind. And we look to psychologists, counselors, and health professionals. We do so, believing that the source of evil is nothing more than an illness or a disease to be treated.

 

In the prior two verses, Paul asked for prayer from the people. He asked for prayer that he and his companions might be delivered from evil, or from the evil one. “For not all have faith,” he reminds them.  But, as he goes on to state in the verse seen above, “the Lord is faithful.”

 

The Lord, he says, will establish them and guard them against the evil one. He will strengthen and protect them from the evil one. He will establish them and keep them from evil.

 

Although it’s a simple reminder, what is the source of our help? What is the source of our deliverance? That source is none other than the Lord.

 

Certainly, he can work through people and institutions to carry out his work. He can use legislators and the courts. He can use armies and military might. He can use the education system and health professionals. But we must bear in mind that he alone is the source of our aid.

 

We, then, must look to him. This, after all, is what Jesus taught us to do. He taught us to pray to the Father that he might deliver us from evil. He taught us to pray to the Father that he might deliver us from the evil one.

 

And, no matter how it may seem, we can know and believe that he will do just that. He will do so because he is faithful. He will do so because is both willing and able to guard us.

Assumptions

 

“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.”

(2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 ESV)

 

So often, in life, we take things for granted. We assume that things will work out as they should. We simply trust that they’ll function as intended. And we presume that the desired results will be achieved.

 

For example, as I leave my house each morning, I take for granted that my car will start. I assume that it’ll fire up and take me where I need to go. I plan my day around the assumption that I’ll be able to get to the places I need to be. And this is true even when the weather is extreme.

 

Because of these assumptions, we give no real thought to them. We seemingly have no concern for them. We’re not worried or apprehensive about these things in any way.

 

This is true also when it comes to our faith. We take for granted that the Church will do its job. We take for granted that it will grow. We take for granted that our faith will spread. And we take for granted that people will honor his Word.

 

For this reason, we fail to pray for the salvation of souls. For this reason, because we take these things for granted, we fail to look to the Lord on behalf of the Church.  And, for this reason, we fail to look to the Lord on behalf of the unsaved.

 

We don’t tend to offer up the petitions requested by Paul in the passage above. We don’t ask that God’s Word would speed forth. We don’t ask that it would be honored. Nor do we ask that the Church might be delivered from evil men.

 

We simply assume that these things will happen. We assume that the Church will faithfully carry out its mission. We take for granted that God’s Word will speed forth because it is, after all, God’s Word. We expect that his Word will be honored. And we presuppose that the Church will be protected from those who intend it harm.

 

We see from Paul’s request, however, that these are needs that ought to be entrusted to the Lord. We see that these blessings cannot be taken for granted. Like every other blessing that we need or desire, these are things for which we are completely dependent upon God.

 

I can say, speaking for myself, that I value the prayers offered up for me, as I serve the Lord. I value the prayers offered up for the ministry of the church. I value them because it’s only with his strength and blessing that we can accomplish anything.

Chosen

“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.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 ESV)

 

Because the Lord is God, and because he’s all-powerful, it is clear to us that he is sovereign. It’s clear to us that no one can impose his will upon him. And it’s clear that he is in control of all things.

 

This is true also when it comes to our eternal destiny. Scripture similarly speaks to us of predestination. It tells us that we, as believers, have been chosen by God to obtain his blessings. It tells us that we have been chosen by God as recipients of his salvation.

 

This, however, raises some questions, especially when it comes to his redemption. It raises some questions as Scripture is clear that God desires for all to be saved. And it’s clear that he is the propitiation, or that he’s the atoning sacrifice, for the sin of the whole world.

 

This being true, God cannot arbitrarily choose some to be saved and others to be damned. He cannot ordain that some will spend eternity in hell with no chance of obtaining forgiveness.  How, then, are those truths reconciled?

 

This confusion is explained away in the above passage. Paul says that he chose us as the first fruits of those who are being saved. Here, we see the element of God’s sovereignty and his divine will. But we’re told also how we are chosen. It’s explained to us on what basis we are chosen.

 

He tells us, first of all, that we are chosen through sanctification by the Spirit. And to be sanctified means to be made holy. So, we are chosen as we are made holy by the Holy Spirit.

 

This reminds us that we play no role in our salvation. It tells us that the work necessary for our salvation is performed by God. And it leads us to trust not in ourselves, but in God, for this great blessing.

 

He tells us also that we are chosen to be saved through belief in the truth. As most of us know, we receive the grace of God through faith in Jesus. And our faith is the basis of God’s choice.

 

What I mean is this: God has chosen for salvation those who trust in Christ. He has chosen for salvation those who believe the gospel. He has chosen for salvation those who, in this way, receive the blessings he’s graciously made available to all people.

 

Motivations

 

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

(Colossians 3:23-24 ESV)

 

It’s that time of year when many of us make resolutions. We do so, viewing the new year as a new beginning. Recognizing our flaws, recognizing our sins, we want to do better.

 

Looking at it in terms of our faith, this is a good attitude. It’s a healthy attitude. As we live an ongoing life of repentance and faith, we turn from our sin and we look to Christ.

 

However, as we make resolutions, as we seek to better ourselves, I’ve noticed something. Christ is not the focus of the changes we want to make. We are.

 

The goal for many of us, with the new year, is to lose weight. This is why gym memberships take off at the beginning of each year. And, again, our motivation for doing so is to improve our health. It’s to improve the way that we feel.

 

The same is true when it comes to our eating habits. Many of us resolve to improve this aspect of our lives. And, again, our motivation for doing so is our own health. It’s to improve the way that we feel.

 

Many of us focus on other aspects of life. We resolve to live a simpler life. We resolve to buy less and to save more. And we resolve to be more generous.

 

Even though this sounds laudable, our motivation is once again ourselves. By doing this, we’re told, our life will be less stressful. Living in this way, we’re told, will reduce worry from our life.

 

Still others among us see that we need to be more forgiving. And, as we seek to do so, we focus on the personal benefits of forgiveness. We say that we offer forgiveness not for the sake of the person who wronged us, but for our own benefit. We do so because it frees us from bitterness and resentment.

 

There may be truth in each rationalization we make. Losing weight and eating better will certainly improve our health and the way that we feel. Living a simpler life will certainly reduce stress. And forgiving others does offer to us a sense of freedom.

 

However, even if we receive these side benefits as we repent of our sin and resolve to make these changes, Christ should be our primary motivation. We should desire to make these changes in service of Christ. And we should desire to make these changes for the glory of Christ.

 

In the third chapter of Colossians, Paul was instructing believers how to live with one other. He tells wives to submit to their husbands. He tells husbands to love their wives. He tells children to obey their parents. He tells fathers that they’re not to provoke their children. He tells servants to obey their masters.

 

Now, it’s certainly true that doing these things will lead to a more peaceful life. It will result in less conflict. It will lead to personal blessings as well as blessings for those who surround us.

 

However, he closes with the verses above. After telling them to do these things, after instructing them to live in this way, he tells them that, whatever they do, they are to work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. In other words, their focus was not to be on man, but on Christ.

 

Wives were to submit to their husbands for the Lord’s sake. Husbands are to love their wives for the Lord’s sake. Children are to obey their parents for the Lord’s sake. Fathers are to parent their children for the Lord’s sake. And servants are to obey their masters for the Lord’s sake.

 

Even though, as we follow these instructions, it’s clear that others will benefit, and even though it’s true that we ourselves will benefit, this shouldn’t be our primary motivation. We’re to do these things out of our love for the Lord. We’re to do them in service of the Lord. And we’re to do so knowing that he is the source of all blessings.

 

 

 

Truth Matters

 

 “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 ESV)

 

One thing that is clear is that there is both truth and error. There is both truth and falsehood. Although this is often rebuffed by a society which tells us that truth is relative, there is no denying it.

 

Even those who deny the truth make this clear as they flip reality on its head, painting the truth as falsehood. What God calls good, they call evil. What Scripture calls sinful, they call good. And they condemn those who hold to the truth, given to us by God.

 

They do so, however, to their own harm. As we see in the passage above, truth matters. The love of the truth, Paul says, effects salvation. The love of truth leads to salvation.

 

The rejection of the truth, however, does just the opposite. The refusal of the truth leads to judgment. It leads to condemnation.

 

The refusal of truth leads to our deception. It leads us to believe a lie. And this is the work of the enemy. It’s the work of Satan.

 

The means used by Satan is that of deceit. He is the father of lies, Jesus told the Jews in John chapter 8. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, because he is a liar.

 

Yet, even though this is true, it’s not as though they are duped. It’s not as though they are fooled or conned. We know this because it’s not their deception that leads them to refuse the truth. It’s their refusal of the truth that leads to their deception.

 

Because they refuse the truth, because they refuse to love the truth, God sends to them a strong delusion. And he does so that they might believe what is false. He does so that they might be condemned.

 

Therefore, they cannot blame God for the judgment they receive. Nor can they blame the enemy, and his tactics of delusion. They can blame only themselves.

 

They perish, you see, because of their own guilt. God gives them over to the very evil they have chosen. And they, in turn, receive the penalty they are due.

Overwhelmed by Tradition

 

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.””

(Luke 2:8-11 ESV)

 

The Christmas season is something that we all enjoy. And there are different aspects that appeal to each of us. Many of us, for example, enjoy the music. Many of us enjoy the decorations. Many of us enjoy cooking and baking. Many of us enjoy gathering with family and friends. Many of us enjoy buying and giving gifts to our friends and loved ones. Many of us enjoy watching Christmas movies. And many of us simply enjoy it all.

 

While there are many fun aspects of our holiday celebration, it often becomes overwhelming. All of these traditions, which are supposed to be fun and relaxing, turn into a chore. And this leaves us stressed out and tense.

 

We lose our enjoyment of the season. And, worse yet, we forget what our celebration is all about. It gets moved to the back burner while we focus on all of these peripheral activities.

 

We tend to think that, apart from these traditions, the holiday is ruined. We tend to think that, apart from these traditions, it loses its meaning. We tend to think that, apart from these traditions, Christmas is boring and bland.

 

We fail to recognize that, even if these traditions were completely stripped away, Christmas would remain. We can take away the decorating. We can take away the cooking and baking. We can take away the Christmas parties. We can take away the mandated and forced family time. We can take away the buying and giving of gifts. And, when we do so, the meaning of the day is left unchanged.

 

In fact, we may find it more enjoyable rather than less. We may find that removing the stress brought on by all of these traditions makes the day even more meaningful. We may find that a more relaxed holiday celebration is more pleasant and profound.

 

As we’re reminded in the passage above, Christmas is about Jesus. It’s about his coming into the world. It’s about his birth, and the blessing this is. It’s about the gift of God given to each and every one of us.

 

It was the message of the Savior’s birth that was proclaimed by the angels. It was the announcement of his birth that is good news of great joy. It was the news of his birth that excited the shepherds so that they went in search of him.

 

It’s this, you see, that gives meaning to the day. It’s this that makes the holiday. And it’s this that we celebrate.

 

All of these other things, all of the traditions in which we take part, are meant to point us to Jesus. They are meant to focus our attention on him. They are not meant as a distraction from that which is truly important.

 

As I say this, I’m not encouraging a stripped-down version of Christmas. I’m not encouraging you to leave all of your traditions behind. What I’m saying is that, if the traditions are taking away from our celebration of the holiday, perhaps it’s best that we let them go, at least some of them.  Perhaps we let some of them go for only this year. Perhaps it’s best to let them go and to focus on what the day is truly about.

Faithful in the Face of Deception

 

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 ESV)

 

The return of Christ is something to which we all look forward. In fact, this is a part of our celebration of Advent. As the saints of old looked forward to Jesus’ first coming, we look forward to his second.

 

We look forward to it because of the blessing it will be. We look forward to it as it marks the end of this age. And we look forward to it as it means the end of sin and death.

 

We recall, however, that his coming will be unexpected. No one knows the day nor the hour of his return. And, prior to his coming, life will seem quite ordinary. Prior to his coming, life will simply continue on as normal.

 

But one thing we know for certain is that, before he comes, the rebellion will take place. And the word from which this is translated refers to an apostasy. It refers to a departure from God, or a rebellion against God.

 

Before Jesus returns, the man of lawlessness will also be revealed. And this is the man who is referred to, elsewhere in the New Testament, as the antichrist. We’re told that he opposes and exalts himself against every god or object of worship. And we’re told that he will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

 

The identity of this man has always been a source of great speculation. Luther believed him to be the pope. And throughout history, there have been many who have committed acts of great evil.

 

There has also been a great deal of speculation regarding how this will all unfold. As he sets himself up in the temple, some think of a rebuilt Jewish temple. And others say that he will set himself up in the Church.

 

This, however, is something about which we need not speculate. Knowing the Lord, and trusting the Lord, this man of lawlessness will be recognizable. His identity will be plain as he sets himself up against, or even alongside, the Lord.

 

The key for us as we await the return of Christ, the key for us as we anticipate the return of Christ, is to remain faithful. We must keep our eyes fixed upon him and him alone. We must trust in the One revealed to us in the Word. And, in this way, we will not be deceived.

 

But we must be prepared. We must know that, as the end approaches, this is going to happen. We can, therefore, expect it. We can watch for it. And we can do so with hope. We can do so knowing that, as this takes place, the Lord’s return is drawing near.

Responding to False Predictions

 

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 ESV)

 

As believers, we know the promise of Christ, that he will return. And this is something that we anticipate. It’s something to which we look forward.

 

The reason for this is clear. We all look forward to the day when we will live in the presence of Christ. And we look forward to spending eternity with him in a place that is free from sin and its consequences.

 

Although I am considered old by the standards set by my children, most do not yet consider me advanced in age. However, over the course of my life, I can’t count the number of times that a prediction of the end has been made. And I’m sure there are countless others of which I am unaware.

 

There are those who’ve tried to pinpoint the time of Jesus’ return. There are those who’ve said that he’s already returned, implying that we missed it. And there are those who create excitement, not by pointing to a certain timeframe, but to certain events that are happening in the world around us.

 

Every time this happens, Christians get jumpy. As they hear these predictions, they get worked up. They get scared and excited, believing the claims that are made.

 

This is so normal that I’ve been questioned by other believers because I’m not jumpy. I’ve been criticized because I’m not worked up. And I’ve been doubted because I’m not scared or excited in the face of these claims.

 

This, however, is how we’re called to respond to such predictions. We’re called to be calm. And we’re called to be steady.

 

As we look at the above passage, Paul warned the believers at Thessalonica that these types of things would happen. He referred to a spirit, a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from him and his companions, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. And the implication is that these statements are untrue.

 

It’s suggested that they result from false prophecy. They result from deceiving spirits. Or they result from a misunderstanding of prophecy.

 

Not only did he warn them that this would happen. He also instructed them about how they’re to respond. And he told them that they’re not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed when they heard these reports.

 

It’s clear that, as we continue to await the return of Jesus, these predictions will continue to be made. They will not cease. And, for this reason, we must respond to them according to Paul’s instruction.

 

Instead of getting jumpy, we must not be quickly shaken in mind. Instead of getting worked up, we must remain calm. And instead of getting scared or excited, we must not be alarmed.

 

Although we know he will return, we do not fear that we’ll somehow miss out. Although we look forward to his coming, we do not believe every prediction or “prophecy” that tries to pinpoint this event. And we do not mistakenly believe that our failure to jump on the bandwagon indicates a lack of faithfulness on our part.

Deemed Worthy

 

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV)

 

Our tendency is to think that we must become worthy of salvation. Our tendency is to think that we must become worthy of God’s calling. And, in our mind, our effort is the means by which this happens.

 

We believe that we become worthy by trying harder. And we do so by trying to be more faithful when it comes to worship. We do so by trying to read our Bible on a regular basis. We do so by trying to improve our prayer life. We do so by trying to be more diligent with serving in the church and helping others.

 

We also tend to count ourselves worthy. We deem ourselves worthy. We judge ourselves worthy. And, again, we do so based on these efforts.

 

This is true not only of non-believers. It’s true also of those who have heard the gospel many times over. It’s true even of those who confess faith in the message of the gospel.

 

Our sinful nature wants us to believe that we earn it for ourselves. It drives us to depend upon ourselves. It leads us to trust in ourselves rather than Christ. And it leads us to become the judge of that worthiness.

 

However, as we look at the words of Paul, in the above passage, we see that it’s not we who make ourselves worthy. We see that it’s not we who determine ourselves worthy. In fact, we see that it has nothing to do with us at all. We see, rather, that we are made worthy. We see that we are counted worthy.

 

This was Paul’s prayer for the people of the church at Thessalonica. He prayed that God would make them worthy of his calling. He prayed that God would deem them worthy. He prayed that God would fulfill in them every resolve for good. And he prayed that God would fulfill every work of faith by his power.

 

We see in this that Paul counted on God to do it all. He counted on God to make them worthy. He counted on God to judge them worthy. And he counted on God to work both in their will and deed. There was no role in this for them to play.

 

Paul also stated that, as God worked in them and through them, Jesus would be glorified. He would be glorified in them. And he would be glorified in them through the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In other words, Jesus would be glorified as God worked in their life. He would be glorified as God himself made them worthy. And he would be glorified as God worked both in them and through them.

 

This, of course, does not mean that we are robots. It doesn’t mean that we’re unable to oppose him and his work. Even though all of this is the work of God, we must not refuse it. We must not resist the Lord as he seeks to work in us.

 

But the credit belongs not to us. It belongs to him alone. It belongs to him alone because, apart from him, we are helpless. Apart from him, we are powerless. And apart from him, we stand condemned.

 

As Paul points out in verse 10, this blessing comes to us as we believe. It comes to us as we look to him in faith. It comes to us not as our work, but as that of God.

Why the Incarnation?

 

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV

 

The Christmas story is one that is known by most everyone. It’s known not only by those who believe in him. It’s known also by those who reject what Scripture says of him.  However, even though believers and unbelievers alike know the story and get caught up in the celebration of Christmas, many objections are raised to its message.

 

One such objection involves the incarnation itself. Besides wondering how it’s possible, some wonder why God had to become man in the first place. They wonder why he took on flesh and lived among his creation.

 

We find the answer to this question in the above passage. The author of Hebrews tells us, first of all, that Jesus became like us. He partook of flesh and blood. And the reason he did this is that he might accomplish our salvation.

 

As most of us know, this was accomplished by Jesus’ death on the cross. In this way, he paid the penalty of our sin. He died on our behalf and satisfied the wrath of God.

 

However, one of the things that stands out as we consider the nature of God is that he cannot die. God is not mortal. He’s immortal, eternal, and unchanging.

 

If he, then, was to pay the penalty of our sin, he had to become man. If he was to die on our behalf, he had to take on flesh. If he was to satisfy the righteous requirement of God’s justice, he had to take on our nature.

 

In this way, by taking on human flesh and dying on the cross, he destroyed the devil. He destroyed the one who accuses us before God. And he delivers us from our slavery to the fear of death.

 

In other words, because of Jesus, we no longer have to live in fear of death. Because he took on flesh, we’re no longer held in bondage by our fear of death. And because he died on our behalf, we know that life eternal is ours.

 

Some will object that none of this was necessary. They tell us that God could have forgiven us apart from Christ’s sacrifice. And they tell us that he could simply overlook our sin. Nothing, however, is further from the truth.

 

Because he is righteous, God cannot allow sin into his presence. Because he is holy, he cannot tolerate wrongdoing. And because he is just, the penalty of our sin has to be paid.

 

By the incarnation, you see, the nature and the character of God were upheld. They were in no way violated. And, at the same time, our salvation was realized.

H - E - Double Hockey Sticks

 

“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.”

2 Thessalonians 1:9-10

 

If you talk to people in society today, most seem to believe that they’ll spend eternity in heaven. And this is true not only of believers in Jesus. It’s true of most everyone.

 

Although most people seem to believe in the existence of hell, it’s generally believed that it’s for only the worst offenders. Few seem to believe that they will spend eternity in hell. And if it is acknowledged, it’s usually in done in lighthearted fashion.

 

Among those who do so, it’s sometimes suggested that hell is a party. The implication is that it’s appealing because it means spending eternity having a good time with your friends. It means having a good time with your friends in an atmosphere that is anything but God-pleasing.

 

However, as Paul talks about hell in the passage above, we see clearly that it’s not a good time. We see clearly that it’s not an appealing option. And we’re given a clear picture of who will be there.

 

Just prior to this passage, in verse 8, Paul speaks of those who do not know the Lord and those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus. In this way, Paul describes those who are lost. He describes those without faith in Jesus.

 

In this way, he refers to those who have yet to encounter the gospel, as well as to those who have refused the gospel. After all, we are born into this world in a lost state, and stand condemned from the beginning of life. And to refuse the gospel is to refuse both life and salvation.

 

It’s they, he says, who will suffer the torments of hell. And this punishment is described as that of eternal destruction. However, Paul is not suggesting that these people will be annihilated, or that they’ll cease to exist.

 

He goes on to say that they’ll suffer this destruction away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might when he comes to be glorified. In other words, they’ll be forever separated from the Lord’s presence. And they’ll be forever separated from his blessings.

 

We see, in verse 8, that this is an act of vengeance on his part. It’s an act of retribution. It’s an act of judgment as these people, who have not received the benefits of Jesus’ atonement, pay the penalty of their sin.

 

It’s clear to us, then, that hell is no joke. It’s not an appealing option for ourselves or for others. And, for this reason, we ought do all that we can to make the gospel known.

Indispensable Doctrine

 

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.”

Titus 2:1 ESV

 

As we look at the church of today, we find that all kinds of things are being taught. We find that there are all kinds of crazy things that are portrayed as Christian teaching. We find that much of what is being passed off as Christian teaching is very different from what we find in Scripture and from that of the historic Christian Church.

 

The same thing was true in the days of Paul. As we look at the end of the first chapter of Titus, Paul points out what some of them were. He refers to Jewish myths and to the commands of people who turn away from the truth.

 

However, as Paul writes to this young pastor, named Titus, he tells him that he is to teach what accords with sound doctrine. He is to teach what was consistent with sound teaching. He is to speak things that are fitting or appropriate to sound doctrine.

 

In the day in which we live, doctrine is thought to be a dirty word. Doctrine is synonymous with dry and boring. It’s also synonymous with dead and lifeless.

 

For this reason, people will choose a church with which to identify and worship based not upon its doctrine. So often, we look instead to the entertainment value.  We look to the emotional response that a church is able to generate.  And we look to the programs that are offered.

 

However, while we go to a church that gives us the “feels,” we receive teaching that contradicts Scripture. While we go to a church that appeals to our taste, we receive teaching that sets itself above Scripture. And while we go to a church that offers the programming we desire, we receive teaching that leads us not to life and salvation, but to death and judgment.

 

No matter the common perception of our day, doctrine is essential. In fact, it should be first and foremost in our consideration when it comes to the church with which we associate. Doctrine literally means “right teaching.” And it should be clear to us why right teaching is so important.

 

Right teaching offers to us what is true. It offers to us a proper explanation of the Word of God. It provides to us the correct understanding of the faith taught to us in Scripture.

 

While it may be possible for us to find a church that appeals to our taste while offering sound doctrine, and while it may be possible for us to find a church that offers right teaching and the programming we desire, a church’s doctrine must always be our main priority. If we’re to make sacrifices, it’s better for us to sacrifice our preferences and desires rather than right teaching. If we’re forced to choose, a church’s doctrine should guide our choice.

Counted Worthy

 

“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— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

2 Thessalonians 1:5-8 ESV

 

As we read about the suffering and persecution of the church, whether it be in times past or even today, we consider it to be a horrible thing. And indeed, it is. None of us enjoy the sight of others suffering.  And none of us like the thought of suffering ourselves.

 

This is especially true when the suffering is unjust. It’s especially true when that suffering is undeserved. And it seems clear to us that suffering because of our faith, suffering for what we believe, is certainly undeserved.

 

For this reason, we count ourselves blessed. We feel fortunate that, up to this point, we’ve avoided suffering for our faith. We’re happy to live in a place where, for the most part, the church has been able to freely live out our faith.

 

However, Paul tells the Thessalonians that their faithfulness, in the face of persecution and affliction, is an indication of God’s righteous judgment. It’s evidence of God’s righteous judgment. In other words, it’s an indication that, in God’s righteous judgment, they are worthy of his eternal blessing.

 

Perseverance and faith are tried in the course of persecution. They are proven as persecution is experienced. And, in the case of the Thessalonians, their unshaken faith was evidence of the blessing they were to receive.

 

The same is true, of course, of those who are suffering for our faith today. The same is true of those who remain faithful in the face of persecution today. And the same will be true of us, if we ever find ourselves being persecuted for the sake of the gospel.

 

That being said, the opposite is true of their persecutors. Those who inflicted this misery would suffer on account of it. God considered it just, Paul says, to repay them for what they’ve done.

 

And they will be repaid in the end, at the final judgment. This will take place when Jesus is revealed from heaven with his angels. It will take place when Jesus inflicts vengeance on those who have not received the gospel.

 

In this way, their roles are reversed. In this way, the tables are turned. Those who have been afflicted will find relief, and those who have afflicted the people of God will themselves be afflicted.

 

In this sense, suffering can serve as a blessing for us. As we persevere in the face of suffering and affliction, we’re assured that we are counted worthy of God’s salvation. We’re assured that we will receive the blessing Jesus has promised to all who believe in him.