2 Thessalonians

December 11

2 Thessalonians

Many people today disregard God’s word. They make God in to the god they want Him to be instead of the God revealed in the scripture. We like God’s grace, but want to ignore His judgment. We do not get one without the other. God is a God of love, but He is also a just God. "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus." (2 Thessalonians 1:8, NIV) Jesus is coming back and when He comes, He is going to come with power to transform this broken world. He will bring judgment and grace.

Jesus said; "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" (Matthew 7:21-23, NIV)  We are not saved by our actions, but our actions reveal what we really believe. If we believe Jesus is our Lord, it means He is in charge. If He is really our Lord we will obey Him. If we do not obey Him, we don’t really have a relationship with Him. If we do not have a relationship with Him, we are destined for hell.

But if we know Him, if we believe, if we obey, we will glorify and marvel at His return. We are to live as if He will return any day, but also live as if He will not come in our lifetime. We should be prepared at all times for Jesus to show up, but we need to plan, work, and live for life to continue on this earth. If we are prepared either way, we will not be disappointed on the day He arrives.