Hey guys,
I figured we could continue into 2 Thessalonians as it is only 3 chapters and then pick a new book. Ideas are welcome. Have a great day.
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3 ESV)
While this may seem like a simple verse, it got me thinking. How often do I give God the praise when I see spiritual growth in others. I can often become very focused on myself and forget to thank God for the work that he is doing in the hearts of others around me. I also think that it is an interesting observation that faith and love for one another are linked here. This makes a lot of sense and illustrates for us the growth of community as we grow in faith and love for one another to build each other up. I hope that we don't overlook the value of this community for strengthening the church as we will need it when we go through rough times and others will need our help in their time of need. Isolating ourselves from community can be very counterproductive to our spiritual growth. We can easily convince ourselves that we are fine like that, but we miss out on so many great opportunities when withholding ourselves from a community of believers and make ourselves more vulnerable to attack.
Hey guys, sorry that I went MIA for a while. Good to be back.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this chapter in light of this blog and my other means of communication back with GT, TX, and the ATL. Like Paul, Silas, and Timothy, I thank God for all of you and am so encouraged by what I hear from Georgia. It is good to know that all of you continue to grow in your faith and love for each other, glorifying God in all ways. I want to encourage you, too, so that you know that the kingdom of God is present out here as well in Berkeley, and I can attest to its faith and love for the Lord. My small group often lifts up you guys in prayer, for they know how much you mean to me. I am thankful for your friendship and brotherhood in Christ, and I know that He is just to reward and punish as He will according to His will. May we pursue what is right and good and seek first His Kingdom.
God is always working for our good. That's what I got out of this passage. He wants us to be transformed to be like Jesus and do His will on Earth. Like the Thessalonians, as a community, we can always improve and help each other out. I've always noticed that having a group of believers around me can benefit my faith so much. We need to make sure that we always seek out community, no matter where we go. Even if we move away on our own, like Tomas and others, we can still find community, and a strong group of believers to build off of.
ReplyDelete"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" 2 Thessalonians 1:9
ReplyDeleteThis verse reminded me of a very key part of our salvation and sanctification, namely, the fact that it is all God's doing. Paul first tells the Thessalonian church that they have been saved by God for an eternity in Heaven. Now he's praying that God may further make them worthy of the calling that they have received. So not only does God reach out to save them, but also makes them worthy of the salvation they did not earn. I often forget exactly how much I owe God, and how totally dependent I am on His goodness. But Paul wants the Thessalonians to remember that they exist for God's glory, to be used so that the world around them may see God. So now after saving them and making them worthy, God is using them for His greater purpose. Praise be to God that He can use us in ways to bring His name glory. God really can do incredible things in our lives. And my prayers should be more like Paul's, that God makes us worthy of our calling and uses us for His glory.