2 Thessalonians 1

 


 Second Epistle to the Thessalonians Chapter 1.

Paul as a matured Christian shepherd urges the Thessalonians to come together and be bounded in God’s grace. The outpouring and out flowing grace of God brings Christians together as on flock in fellowship with one another in love and in Faith. Silas, Timothy, and Paul have abounding love for the Thessalonians even in their absence from the church of Thessalonica where the Christian are going through  trials and tribulation. And they show their love in their continued prayers for their beloved brethren. Faith cannot be built by being separated from other Christians. Why?  True faith needs to show works of faith. James says faith without works is dead, being alone. (James 2:17) Therefore its crucial to come together as a church and build one another in faith with works. Paul says faith grows as it is necessary, and it must grow exceedingly in love too. This love is expressed as Agape love by Paul.

Why must Paul urge the Thessalonians to have Agape love for one another? And why is Paul showing that Silas, Timothy, and himself have nothing but Agape love for them? Why the need to testify this agape love for them during a time of great tribulation, persecution, and emotional stress because of the first letter to them on the expectations of Parousia and eschatological eventualities?

Paul understood the emotional struggles of the Thessalonians. The unspoken challenges they were facing at the time. Paul is seen here taking on the role of the pastor coming long-side the suffering and trembling flock to encourage them to stand firm in faith. Our lord whose name is the counsellor (Isaiah 9:6) is working through the Holy Spirit gathering His flock to bestow His peace (John 14:27) unto them. Paul comes long-side the Thessalonians and brings to remembrance their steadfastness in faith in the past and the present commendable faith in their long suffering. Paul uses love, patience and understanding to win them over first and then points toward Christ and His Church, The Church of God.

The most important message here in the first six verse for all Christians to learn and apply in dealing with how to bring and bear upon heavy weighted tidings to fellow Christian brethren. Taking into consideration of his or her emotional struggles, unspoken challenges which are all intrinsic in nature. Most of us are silent suffers. We do not verbalize our sufferings and internalize it. In such circumstances can our loving admonishing of our brethren to stand fast in faith become hurtful reproof.(?) Instead of being an emotional support for the suffering Christian can we become a burden aggravating the sufferings and the brother takes offense and gnashes his or her teeth at us in respond toward us?

The Thessalonians were persecuted by the Jews from the beginning once the Gospel was preached in Thessalonica. Paul had to flee, and Jason’s house was assaulted. (Acts 17) The Jews created an uproar in the city where most believers were Gentiles. Paul calls them to come to rest with him when the Lord is revealed from heaven. This rest during troubled time knowing Christ would come from heaven to usher peace and assurance to believers. Why so?

Christ comes to judge the wicked and the ungodly. The elect who are watching and waiting are ushered in by the bridegroom to the wedding feast and the door is shut. (Matthew 25:1-10) It is a time of great rejoicing for the Christians at the second coming of our Lord. He wipes away tears and brings all to his perfect rest. The redeemed shall sing a new song in the presence of the Lord before the throne. (Revelations 14:1-5) What about those who are facing persecution and die for their faith in Christ. What assurance do the living have if they were to die for their faith. The scriptures say, they will be given white robes and the Lord shall feed them and lead them to living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away their tears. (Revelations 7:14-17)

The Thessalonians are faced with dire straits, yet their joy and hope is in Christ. To die is glory and to wait for his glorious coming is also a joyous moment. To bring this message is a loving manner is the important message we learn from Paul in this Chapter. Let us look at the scene in the Garden of Eden and contemplate the love of God for his creations to conclude the chapter. When God gave the first gospel message of redemption, ‘her seed shall bruise thy head’, (Genesis 3:15) it is none other than “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The Love of God.      

Soli Deo Gloria.                                                                                                      


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