Second Thessalonians 2:13-14 says, "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." Paul begins these verses by giving thanks to God because, "from the beginning" (v. 13b), God chose these Thessalonian believers "for salvation" (v. 13b). God chose them and God "from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth" (v. 13b).
No verse of Scripture speaks any more clearly concerning the security of the believer. In a sweeping statement, Paul reveals the fact that God, "from the beginning" (v. 13b), has chosen for salvation all who believe. You have a part in His redemptive plan because He has chosen you. Because God has chosen you, you are secure in Him. You can look forward with confidence to that day when Christ comes and gathers you to Himself for all eternity. Romans 8:29-30 says, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
This truth caused Paul to give thanks to God because such are "brethren beloved by the Lord" (v. 13a). Unbelievers are those who refuse to love the truth and are, therefore, disobedient to the truth. Believers, "brethren beloved by the Lord" (v. 13a), are those whom God has given a love for the truth and who willingly obey the truth. God judges those who hate the truth; He redeems those who love the truth. Those who hate the truth are the ones who believe Satan's lies; we who believe God's truth cannot be deceived. Those who hate the truth are the ones who follow Antichrist; we who love the truth follow Christ Jesus our Lord.
The work of salvation in you began with the sovereign, undeserved love of God. Flowing out of His predetermined love came His sovereign choice of you for salvation: "From the beginning" God "chose you for salvation" (v. 13b). Paul told Timothy, God "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (2 Tim. 1:9). God's work of salvation takes affect in your life "through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth" (v. 13b).
Sanctification is the work of the Spirit that sets you apart from sin to righteousness. "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11). This miracle begins with salvation and continues toward a total transformation of your life. "Salvation through sanctification by the Spirit" (v. 13b) involves complete change; nothing stays the same. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).
The human factor in God's sovereign work of salvation is "belief in the truth" (v. 13b). Faith is key. Acts 16:31 says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." It is those who believe on Jesus who are saved. Romans 10:9-10 adds, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." When you hear and believe the truth, you receive the gift of repentance and faith through the Holy Spirit resulting in salvation.
Gospel preaching is the means God uses to call us to salvation in Christ, a salvation that leads to being glorified with Christ at His coming. It is this salvation "to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 14). Our salvation, our complete sanctification, and our glorification with Christ at His coming are all of God. We do not earn it in any way. It is all accomplished solely by God. It is all a gift He has given you who believe. Amen.
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