A Life of Obedience

When you are focused on Christ, your life will be a life of obedience to God. "And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you" (2 Thess. 3:4). Or, as the NIV puts it, "We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command." While verse 3 speaks of our trust in Christ because of His faithfulness, verse 4 speaks of our faithfulness to Him as shown in our obedience.

Paul's desire for the Thessalonians was that they would continue to be obedient to the Lord. "You are doing" (v. 4b) refers to the fact that obedience to the Word of the Lord is a way of life for them. Paul then adds, "and will continue to do" (v. 4c), referring to their future. Based on what they were already doing, Paul is "confident" (v. 4a), or persuaded "in the Lord," that they will continue to do what he had taught them. Your union with Christ will guarantee your obedience to the Word of the Lord—"the things we command you" (v. 4d).

You have believed the Word of God, you have been taught the Word of God, you must therefore live in obedience to the Word of God! If your life is focused on Christ, you will live a life of obedience to Him and His Word. As you are taught the Word of God, so obey the Word of God. That is Paul's command. Amen.

A Life of Trust

When your life is focused on Christ, not only will your life be a life of prayer, but your life will also be a life of trust or faith. That is how you will live your life when focused on Jesus—by faith, or complete trust in Him.

Note the promise in Second Thessalonians 3:3: "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." The lack of faith is widespread among men. Note again the end of verse 2: "for not all have faith." In contrast to that unfortunate truth is the fact of the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus—"But the Lord is faithful" (v. 3a).

The more we focus on His faithfulness, the more we become faith-filled. He can be relied on to "establish you and guard you from the evil one" (v. 3b), or as the NIV and NASB put it, to "strengthen and protect you from the evil one" (v. 3b). In Christ you are "strengthened" (v. 3b) or given inner security. In Him you are also assured of outward protection from the enemy—Satan.

"Protect" (v. 3b, NIV) is a military term that refers to "protection against a violent assault" (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 332). The last part of 1 John 5:18 says, "he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him." Jesus is faithful, and He will defend you against even the touch of the enemy.

Paul didn't know for certain how strong the Thessalonians' trust in God would be in the face of many trials and persecutions. But, no matter what kind of difficulties they might face, he knew the Lord would always be faithful to them in accomplishing His purposes in them. In fact, he knew that God would be so faithful to them that all they needed to do was to trust Him for His provisions. Do that, and you will always be enabled to withstand any assault brought upon you by this evil world.

Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13—"God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" (NASB). The Lord will take care of you. He will fill you with internal spiritual strength, while He guards you from external attacks. Trust Him! Exercise faith in Him daily. When you are focused on Christ, you will lean on Him and He will take care of you. Amen.

A Life of Prayer

At the beginning of Second Thessalonians chapter three, Paul prayed that you would be completely focused on Christ. He prayed that how you think and what you do would always be centered in Jesus. So, when speaking of things evident in the lives of those whose focus is on the Lord, Paul immediately turned to prayer. "Finally, brethren, pray for us" (2 Thess. 3:1a), he begins. Matters of the end times was his main concern in writing Second Thessalonians, however, as is his habit, he could not end the letter without adding some thoughts on personal application. "Finally" (v. 1a) indicates that he has completed the doctrinal teachings that were needed and now he is turning to those points of application.

As he begins this section, he requests prayer on the part of the young believers in Thessalonica. "Pray" (v. 1a) is in the present tense, meaning that he asked the Thessalonians to "continually pray," or "make prayer a constant pattern" in their lives. Specifically, Paul asked them to pray for his needs, a reminder that even the newest believers, through prayer, can have a part in releasing the power of God on behalf of the strongest and most experienced of God's servants (MacArthur's N.T. Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians, [Moody Publishers: Chicago, 2001], 293).

First, Paul asked that they pray for success of the gospel. Going on in verse 1, he says, "pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you." The words "run swiftly" (v. 1b) are translated "spread rapidly" in the NIV and NASB. The ESV says, "speed ahead," while the KJV says, "have free course." All are excellent translations as the word literally means "to have free course" or "to spread rapidly," and it refers specifically to the idea of running. It is a metaphor from the Greek games for running a race.

Along side of this, Paul spoke of "the word of the Lord" (v. 1b), the gospel, being "glorified" (v. 1b) or "honored" (NIV), depending on your translation. This is the idea of triumph. As more people hear and receive the gospel, God is honored or glorified.

We are to pray that the gospel will "keep on running and keep on being honored." That is the thrust of this verse. All who are focused on Christ will pray in just that way. Paul's request is that you pray continually that Christ might win His race through your church leaders—your pastor and deacons, and all who lead your church. In fact, if you are focused in Christ you will pray continually that Christ will win His race through each of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

The concern is not just for freedom to run the race of discipleship for the Lord, but to allow the Lord to run in and through you without reservations or obstructions. In verse 1, Paul spoke of the Lord as running the race through us. The presence of the Lord in our lives frees us so we can give Him freedom to use us in the rapid spread of the gospel. Authentic freedom is clearing the track, opening the way, removing the impediments, and letting go with joyous abandonment. Give Him all areas of your life. Hold nothing back. Remove all obstacles and He will use you.

Paul mentions the areas where he needed prayer for Christ to work through him: "And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith" (v. 2). Where do you need prayer so Christ can work through you? Let each other know on a regular basis and pray accordingly for one another, and watch the Lord work through you in amazing ways. Amen.

Established in the Work of God

Second Thessalonians 2:16-17 says, "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. This prayer with which Paul closes this chapter is in slight contrast to the command of verse 15. We cannot make the command to stand firm on the Word of God effective by our own power. We cannot carry out this command apart from God. Only God who chose you and saved you by His sovereign will can empower you to stand firm. Likewise, it is God who will "comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work" (v. 17).

Note verse 16a: "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father." The pronoun Himself is singular and stands in the emphatic position in the Greek text. Therefore it refers to both "our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 16a) and "God our Father" (v. 16a), the first two persons of the Trinity. It could properly be translated, "Now may Himself our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father" (v. 16a). The pronoun governing both the Son and the Father indicates that Paul views both as the source of comfort, strength, and encouragement. It also gives irrefutable evidence of Christ's deity. Jesus is fully equal in every way with the Father.

Paul goes on to remind us that God is the one "who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace" (v. 16b). The NIV says God is the one "who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope" (v. 16b). Taken together with verse 17, Paul is saying that Jesus and the Father have loved you from all eternity. Because of that love, by grace God has saved you and given you eternal comfort and hope in Christ. Now Paul prays that Jesus Christ and God the Father will comfort and strengthen your hearts "in every good word and work" (v. 17b).

God loves you. God saves you. God makes you steadfast in the Word. God makes you like Christ and establishes you in His work. That is the progression of this passage. You were created "for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). Paul prays that God and Christ will comfort you as you live for Christ, looking forward to that great hope of His return. He also prays that God and Christ will establish you and strengthen you in the work He has for you.

Lovers of the truth believe the truth of God, stand firm on the Word of God, and are established in the work of God. Such is the picture of a disciple who is truly following and serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

Does what you believe in your heart have such an effect upon your life that others can see it? For those who are lovers of the truth it does. Let Christ have such a hold on your life. Live for Him each day. Amen.

Stand Firm on the Word of God

Second Thessalonians 2:15 is a call to doctrinal adherence, or sound doctrine. Having established the truth of salvation by grace through faith as a gift from God, in verse 15 Paul gives us a specific command: "Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."

This verse turns on the word "therefore" (v. 15). Since God has chosen you for salvation you have a personal responsibility to fulfill. The NIV puts verse 15 this way: "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." Be steadfast or "stand firm" (v. 15, NIV) in your faith and keep a firm hold on the "traditions" (v. 15) or "teachings" (NIV) of Scripture. In other words, stand firm on the Word of God.

Paul does not want you to be weak. Rather, he wants you to hold your spiritual ground in all circumstances of life and to keep a grip on the truth of God. This is shown by his use of the phrase "traditions which you were taught" (v. 15).

Over the years, people have built up all sorts of traditions that are outside of and in addition to Scripture. Paul is not referring to those kind of traditions. He is not referring to traditions of men that are somehow considered equal to the Word of God. The Greek word translated "traditions" (v. 15) literally means "things handed down" and refers here to divine revelation, the Word of God which Paul had taught them. That is what is meant by the phrase "whether by word of mouth or by letter" (v. 15, NIV).

Had the Thessalonians maintained a stability in their faith and continued to keep a firm grasp on the basic Christian doctrines they had been taught, this letter would not have been needed. They would not have become so fearful, but would have maintained their hope and joy in the Lord.

In light of the circumstances, Paul writes these verses to clarify the doctrine of salvation so that they will renew their hope in Christ. Paul's purpose is that you remain "unmovable and cling tenaciously to these doctrines" (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 11, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 330). Your hope and joy in the Lord will remain constant if you do. Amen.