Writings

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

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, 2 Thessalonians 2:16

In these words, Paul presents a prayer which is connected to the exhortation he just made. He asked those in Thessalonica (and thus us!) to “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” In response to these words, he issues a prayer to confirm this in them. In a rather unusual construction, he says, “Now may the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father…” In this, he begins with Jesus, and only then does he move to the Father. This is the opposite of 1 Thessalonians 3:11 –

“Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.”

The reason for placing the Lord Jesus first is because of words which follow, and which describe the work of the Father. However, in doing this, there is the implicit hint, as is seen so many times elsewhere, of the equality of the Persons within the Godhead. The word “and” between the two shows that they are separate and distinct (a Godhead is thus identified), and that they are equal within this Godhead. As this is a prayer made directly to Jesus, as well as to the Father, it recognizes the equality of the two.

With that understood, it says that it is God the Father “who has loved us.” God the Father is the Source of the love which is being expressed in the thought. His love for us is what then leads to Paul’s next thought, that He has “given us everlasting consolation.” These words describe a type of comfort which is enduring, and which cannot be robbed from us. No matter what happens, our comfort will endure. How untypical of all other faiths where adherents place their lost loved ones in the grave, and who then mourn their eternal loss. But this is completely untrue with the Christian faith. As Paul noted in verse 13, God chose us “for salvation in (as the Greek reads) sanctification by the Spirit.”

This is the everlasting consolation now being referred to. Those in Christ are saved, and they have been sanctified. Every terrifying thing described earlier in the chapter (and elsewhere in Scripture) concerning those who fail to come to Christ has no bearing on us. Instead, we have the everlasting consolation “and good hope by grace.” The words in Greek read “in grace.” This denotes the mode of the everlasting consolation and good hope which we have been given. Grace is the element in which it occurs and is experienced. The words here then correspond to verse 13 –

“God from the beginning chose you for salvation in sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”

“God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope in grace.”

We are chosen for salvation in sanctification, and we are given everlasting consolation and good hope in grace. This shows us the extent of the Father’s love for us. He sent Christ Jesus to accomplish these things for us in order to reconcile us to Him, and it is this Gift of Christ Jesus which is a reflection of His unlimited grace. Praise be to God.

Life application: If you struggle with the concept of the Trinity, that’s OK. It is a difficult concept for us to grasp. Not fully understanding something, however, does not mean that we cannot accept it as true. The word of God clearly teaches this doctrine, and so we are expected to accept it by faith, even if we do not fully understand it. Have faith in God’s word, and do not let others bring you into error because they are unwilling to take God at His word.

Lord God, we may not understand everything presented in Your word, but we can still have faith that Your word is true. And this isn’t a naive trust in a dubious thing. Rather, it is trust in a word which has confirmed itself countless times. It has been proven true so many times that we would be ignorant fools to not accept the parts we don’t yet get. Our faith is grounded, and our hope is sure. We step into Your revealed light when we enter into the pages of Scripture! Amen.

Tuesday, 10 October 2017

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15

The word “Therefore” is especially given based on Paul’s words back in verses 1 & 2 of this chapter. However, he has supported those words with everything else since. He said then to them that they should not be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from them. In other words, “Anything you have heard which has not been given to you by an apostle, or which cannot be confirmed as apostolic in nature, is to be rejected outright.” After that, he defended this position by reexplaining what he had already explained to them, confirming that what he said was to be taken as authoritative. Anything contradictory to that was a false message.

He then says again, “brethren.” He is addressing them as fellow-believers in Christ, and he wants them to be sound in their doctrine and faith. For this reason, he continues with the words, “stand fast.” To stand is to be sound, fixed, and firm in doctrine. They were not to waiver and be “soon shaken or troubled” when some Johnny-come-lately passed along something which was not in accord with sound apostolic teaching. To support this, he continues with, “and hold the traditions which you were taught.”

“The traditions” are those things which they first heard from Paul and his associates, and which became ingrained in them. The word “tradition” here means “from close-beside.” It indicates something passed on from one generation to the next. As the apostles gave them their first instruction in Christ. It was this, and this alone, which they were to hold fast to. The word translated as “hold” means to seize hold of and to put under one’s control. This is what they were to do with the word given to them, and this is what we are to do with the word, once delivered to us, today. We are to hold fast to it, and we are not to be shaken by every wind of doctrine which passes by. How sad that Paul’s words are pretty much completely ignored by countless cults and unsound churches today!

He finishes with the words, “whether by word or by our epistle.” This is referring to the “traditions you were taught.” Those things which are apostolic in nature, and which were either in writing, or which would be codified in writing by other apostles, form what we call “the word of God,” or “the Holy Bible.” Once the word was recorded, and canonicity was determined, the word was set. What we should ask God when we hear someone claim divine inspiration over anything we hear is, “Shall I accept this, or will I stand fast on Your word alone?” It is a question each person must answer on his own. Is God’s word sufficient for our life and practice, or is it not?

Life application: This verse again shows us the truth of the doctrine of apostolic inspiration. It further implies then that when the apostolic age ended, no further revelation is given for our doctrine and faith. Paul’s words show that people should only hold on to what can be confirmed as from this divinely inspired process. It is exactly the reason why we are to never accept prophetic utterances, or claims of divine inspiration, by anyone else. The church age is literally spattered with false teachers who have claimed divine inspiration (and who continue to do so today), but none of their messages are to be considered authoritative or acceptable.

Lord God, You have spoken. Your word is set, and it is settled. May we never accept any supposed “word” from You by those who would attempt to add to what You have, once and for all time, delivered to the saints for their life, doctrine, and practice. Help us to be secure in our minds that the sixty-six books of the Bible are all-sufficient for us to know Your intentions for us, and to reject anything else which claims divine inspiration. You have spoken, and we have a sure, precious, and understandable word. Amen.

Monday, 9 October 2017

…to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:14

Look carefully at the progression of thought that Paul has said in the previous verse and in this one –

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

He uses a neuter relative pronoun, translated here as “which.” As the preceding nouns (salvation, sanctification, and belief) are either feminine or masculine, he is not referring to any of these individually, but rather to all of them together. As Charles Ellicott notes, it is “the general state of life which is compounded of these three notions – ‘to which thing He called you.’” He then notes that, “The election or choice takes place in eternity (2 Thessalonians 2:13); the call is at that point of time when the men first hear the gospel. (See Romans 8:30).”

This wonderful insight, which is confirmed in the tense of this relative pronoun, clearly shows that the Calvinist view on predestination is wrong. Though God chose in eternity past, the process is also clearly based on a presentation of the gospel in the present of the believer. God calls each by the gospel. If no gospel presentation is given, salvation will not occur. As Paul says, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

Paul shows that God calls us to salvation, sanctification, and belief by the gospel “for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” There are actually several different possibilities as to how this final clause is translated –

1) “…for the purpose of an acquisition of glory to Jesus Christ.” This seems to indicate that the gospel was given in order for Jesus to accumulate glory. It is true that Jesus indicates that He is glorified in His disciples in John 17:10, but this doesn’t appear to be Paul’s intent as he writes.

2) “…for a glorious possession of Jesus Christ.” This would show that the intent of our salvation and sanctification is so that we would become subjects of Christ in His kingdom. It is true that this will occur. Christ is our Head and we are His people, but once again this doesn’t seem to be what Paul is thinking of.

3) “…to be possessors or sharers in the glory of Jesus Christ.” This appears to be what is on Paul’s mind. He relates this idea to the saints at several times in several distinct ways. For example, in Romans 8:17 he says that we will be “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” Paul is an apostle who is, at this time, telling his readers what lies ahead for them because of the process that they have gone through, and continue to go through.

Life application: God has a plan. It is a plan which was in His mind before He created anything. We must understand this, and in understanding it, we can be assured that everything is exactly as it should be. However, we also need to understand that His plan is being worked out in the stream of time. The means of salvation is given in His word – a presentation of the gospel message. That message must then be received by the hearer of it. There is no external forcing in this process, but rather a free-will decision by the believer. Neither Paul, nor any other writer in the Bible, ever hints that we are “regenerated in order to believe.” Be sure to open your mouth and speak. People need to hear the word, and they must respond to what they hear.

Lord God, thank you for having granted us the choice to believe Your message or to reject it. This then places all the glory on You for those who receive it, and it places all the responsibility for failing to act upon those who reject it; thus giving You the glory even in their rejection. Nobody will be able to say, “It’s not fair!” on that great day when we stand before You. You are sovereign, and You are gracious. Glory to You in the highest. Amen.

Sunday, 8 October 2017

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, 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Here we have Paul, after his detailed discourse on end times events, going back to a train of thought from the beginning of the epistle, and then expanding on it. In verse 1:3, he said –

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other…”

In the same type of fashion, being bound to giving thanks, he begins with, “But we.” There is an emphasis on the word “we” which is given to contrast Paul and his associates with those mentioned in verses 10-12. The contrast, though, is actually made between those mentioned and the Thessalonians who, along with Paul and his companions, are set apart from those who are lost. This is seen at the end of the clause, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you.”

Paul has written of those who would be lost, and why they would be lost. He would only do this as one who was setting himself apart from that group. His words here unite the Thessalonian believers into that same setting apart. This is first evidenced by the words, “brethren beloved by the Lord.”

First, they are “brethren.” Secondly, they are “beloved by the Lord.” The word “beloved” is in the perfect tense, showing its completed nature. They have been beloved by the Lord, and they are beloved of the Lord. This is essentially the same phrase that he used of them in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 where he used the word “God” instead of “Lord.” Thus, one can logically make the connection that in Paul’s mind, Jesus the Lord is God.

It is this Lord, who is God, that Paul continues his thoughts with. He states, “because God from the beginning chose you.” This is the only time in the New Testament that the Greek word translated as “chose” is used concerning God’s election. It is used in the Greek Old Testament (such as in Deuteronomy 26:18), which is surely what is on Paul’s mind, concerning Israel having been chosen as the Lord’s peculiar people.

As this is not the ordinary word when speaking of election, implying His eternal selection, it means that He has “taken for Himself.” He has adopted them according to His eternal purpose. There is a group of people who would come to Him by faith in Christ, and He has adopted them as His own. This was His eternal selection, and it was “from the beginning.” The words here mean “from eternity.” God knew before He created what would come to pass, and who would make certain choices, and He elected those “for salvation.”

God chose to save certain people in a certain way, and He did it before anything was created. “I will save, and this is how that salvation will occur.” Paul then goes on to explain that process which is first “through sanctification by the Spirit.” The words here actually read in the Greek, “in sanctification by the Spirit.” Sanctification is the mode of salvation. Christ did the work and, in our faith in that, we are sanctified, thus bringing about our salvation.

The Spirit of God will sanctify those who are to be saved. This is necessary because being saved implies that one is first fallen. One must be saved “from” something and “to” something. Man is fallen and separated from God; man must be sanctified in order to be reconciled to God. This is the work of the Spirit, but it is based on “belief in the truth.”

Belief in the truth is man’s part in the equation. It is here contrasted with those who “believe the lie” of verse 11, and “did not believe the truth” of verse 12, of this same chapter. There, those who did not believe were then said to be condemned. Here, those who believe are said to be saved. In both, man is involved in the process (synergism). God elected those who would believe; He elected them to be sanctified by the Spirit; and He elected them to be saved. God chose the means of salvation, and He laid it out for those who would hear and heed.

Condemnation already exists (John 3:18), but it is also a choice when one hears and rejects the truth. One willingly stays in their default position of condemnation, or that person willingly chooses the path of salvation and is saved. The doctrine of monergism is not at all evident in this process. It is true that the choice of how salvation would come about is solely up to God, but the choice allows man to freely choose that “how.” It also allows him to willingly decline the same if it is presented to him.

Life application: Salvation is a gift. A gift is not forced upon a person, but it must willingly be accepted. The Person and work of Jesus Christ is that gift, and it is offered to you to accept or reject. Be wise; be discerning; choose life.

Lord God, You have offered a Gift to the people of the world. It is a Gift of life. A gift which is forced on another is no gift at all, and so You have given us a choice to receive or decline Your Gift of Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Those who receive this are the elect of God and will never be separated from You again. New life has come! Thank you for offering the Gift. May many people reach out and receive it today! Amen.

Saturday, 7 October 2017

…that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:12

“That” is referring to “God sends them a strong delusion” of verse 11. As noted in the previous verse, the “strong delusion” or literally, the “working of error” will be begun by God, but it will be responded to by the people in a way where they carry the blame for their actions. God is not purposefully sending people to hell. He allows them to make their own beds, but He provides the opportunity for them to do so. This is actually confirmed in the coming words of this verse.

“They all” is speaking of those referred to in verses 10 & 11. Paul says (according to this translation) “that they all may be condemned.” The word “condemned” here is incorrect, as is the term “damned” used by the KJV. The Greek word krinó simply means “to judge.” Condemnation may be implied here, but it is based on judgment on those “who did not believe the truth.” Here is the key to the entire passage, belief.

God does not ask the world to do great or fantastic things in order to be saved. He simply asks for faith. No matter how great or how fantastic our deeds are, they can never replace faith in what He has offered. In demonstrating faith, it then conveys the fact that God is righteous. In accepting this, we then should naturally desire to pursue Him in this capacity. But because of unbelief, those who are to be judged “had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Such a delight in that which is opposed to righteousness is incompatible with what is true, moral, and holy. Instead of lacking understanding what is right, they simply desire what is morally perverse; they believe the lie. It is a willful rejection on their part, and it is what condemns them. It is completely unnecessary to find an active sending of delusion by God into the minds of man in order for him to be judged. Rather, God provides the opportunity for those who willingly reject Him to receive what they deserve.

Life application: What does God desire from you? He simply asks for faith in what Christ has done. From that springboard, we should naturally desire to be like Him, to follow Him in righteousness, and to be holy just as He is holy. If we fail to do these things, it does not negate that we demonstrated the faith that saved us. If it were to do so, then we would not be saved by grace through faith. Our salvation would still be conditioned on what we do. Have faith, and then be responsible enough to exercise that faith in right living.

Lord God, how weak we are in our natural selves that we would see what Christ has done, accept it by faith, and then be unwilling to do our best to emulate Him and be obedient to Your word! You save us by your grace through faith, and so help us to live out that salvation in a manner which is holy, pure, and acceptable to You. And in order to do that, we must know what You expect. And so give us the desire to pick up the Bible, read it, and apply it to our lives. Amen.