Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

SECOND THESSALONIANS

(From the Daily Drop of Water Series)

by Rev. Jerry L Holcomb

CHAPTER ONE

 (2Th 1:1)  “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:”  Words have meaning. And God, Who gave us language, means what He says and says what He means. I  draw your attention to the word, “church”. This is a particular church. At this time there is no “universal church”, as so many speak of “the church”. The church is a gathered assemble; that is what the word means. You cannot have an unassembled assembly. God will some day call out of this world, gather together, into one assembly – church.

 (2Th 1:2)  “Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice that the words of this book, as in all of Scripture, are not the words of man, but of God. Else one could not speak the words before us: these words of blessings are coming from the Lord. The Bible does not contain the Words of God here and there among the words of men. The Bible plainly says, (2Pe 1:21) “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”  and (1Th_2:13)  “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”  Believe and obey it all for it is all God’s Word!  

 (2Th 1:3)  “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;”  Your “faith” is greatly growing. Many do not understand this word, “faith”. They think it means simply acknowledging facts as being true. That’s not Bible faith. Bible faith is action based upon acknowledging facts as being true. For example – tithing. One might acknowledge it as being what God desires but does not practice it. That is not Bible faith. God expects the faith to be put into practice, believing if I practice tithing God will meet my needs despite the fact that I have ten percent less of my income. The practice, the action, is Bible faith. There is evidence of this definition in this verse. Love is being poured out of them by the Spirit of God through their obedience- – their action of faith.

 (2Th 1:4) “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:”  “We ourselves glory in you”. Today there is a word we use wrongly; one the Bible always uses in the negative sense, we use in the positive sense. That very word reveals how we do not see things the way God sees them. Instead of the word, “glory’ we would use the word “proud”. “We are proud of you among the churches for your patience and faith…..” No. Pride is of the devil. To glory is to rejoice. Rejoice, glory, in the fact that God’s people do right. God help us to get rid of the word, “pride”, as we use it today.

 (2Th 1:4) “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:”  Patience and faith walk hand in hand. They are essential in overcoming evil. They say, “I trust you, Lord.” “I am yours Lord.” “Do with as you will, Lord.” We are here upon this earth for two reasons: to know Him and to glorify Him. So, endure as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

(2Th 1:4) “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith…….(5b)….. that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:”  Many times those professing salvation are found moaning and complaining about their lot in life. Why me? The Scriptures before us teach that He is worthy to suffer this life for. We are passing through. This is a world that hates the holiness of our God and our calling. This is a world of pain and suffering of the body. We are passing through. The Lord Jesus admonished us, (Luk 21:19) “ In your patience possess ye your souls.”  That requires the faith to trust, doesn’t it?   

 (2Th 1:6)  “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;”  The old nature in the saved desires to strike out to those who offend us. The world has taught us, “If you don’t stick up for yourself no one else will.” God, the righteous judge instructed us, (Rom_12:19)  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”  We cannot very well avenge ourselves and practice, “Be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matt 10:14).  Trust the Lord to right all wrongs.

(2Th 1:7)  “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:”  Here is a very different event than that which is spoken of in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4. There the Lord meets the resurrected saints in the air; here He returns to the earth. Since there is a seven year space between the two events, I draw your attention to the phrase, “rest with us”. Rest speaks of some sort of cessation of labor. Labor can be concern, or the activity of the mind. I say to you, “Rest in the Lord. He will take care of everything. Stand firm in Him.”

 (2Th 1:9)  “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”  Hell is every bit as real as heaven. Man would rather believe he crawled out of slime than to mentally face that judgment of life lies before him. It can be likened to those who still claim the world is flat despite all the evidence to the contrary. Just because they don’t wish to believe it doesn’t make it any less true. All have sinned against God. There is only one way to be saved from hell, and that is to repent of our sins, ask forgiveness from God believing Jesus paid for our sins, rose from the dead, and will save us if we ask.

 (2Th 1:9)  “Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”  Notice closely the words, “from the presence of the Lord” and consider: most people spend their daily lives unto themselves, not giving thought and so, much less, time – of and to the Lord. Is it not right and just that they should continue to have as part of their eternal punishment, being apart from presence? They enjoyed the blessings of this life: (Mat_5:45) “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”  The judgment is that they will no longer enjoy these blessings of which they did not render due acknowledgement and suffer the punishment of eternal agony instead. Terrible!

 (2Th 1:10) “When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” The Second Coming of Christ not to be confused with the Rapture of 1 Thessalonians Chapter 4. “Glorified IN His saints”. Ephesians says sinners saved by grace are the glory of the God of Mercy for eternity! Praise His Name for saving repentant sinners. May we each live daily to seek His praise, giving glory among men for the many blessings we enjoy.

(2Th 1:11)  “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”  “That God would count you worthy of this calling….” In Christian “talk” we use “calling” for the ministry – ministers. That is not what is being said here. Firstly, it is the Lord that reaches down and calls the lost to Himself. The Bible says “there is none that seeked God; no, not one.” (Rom 3:11)  So, each of the saved were first called. “Worthy”: have you sought to be worthy – worth it?

 (2Th 1:11)  “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness,……”  Sinful man is blind to the goodness of God. Instead, he blames God for all the sickness, the death, and even the wrong their eyes behold. The Good God is He Who restrains His holiness and waits for that last soul to be saved on His timetable. In the meantime that same Good God continues to bless even the lost with life. He uses the saved to bless the lost with “the goodness of God”.

(2Th 1:11)  “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”  The work of God’s children is done two ways upon this earth. There are those who work through the flesh, fulfilling the task before them. And, there are those who look to their Father to bless the work, giving them strength, wisdom, and ability for the task, and…..to bless the task to the recipients. The Lord has said, “….. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,…” (Zech 4:6). This is what the Lord means when He says, “….and the work of faith with power:”   

(2Th 1:11)  “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness,……”  Sinful man is blind to the goodness of God. Instead, he blames God for all the sickness, the death, and even the wrong their eyes behold. The Good God is He Who puts off man’s judgment while waiting for that last soul to be saved on His timetable. In the meantime that same Good God continues to bless even the lost with life. He uses the saved to bless the lost with “the goodness of God”.

(2Th 1:11)  “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:”  The work of God’s children is done two ways upon this earth. There are those who work through the flesh, fulfilling the task before them. And, there are those who look to their Father to bless the work, giving them strength, wisdom, and ability for the task, and…..to bless the task to the recipients. The Lord has said, “….. Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,…” (Zech 4:6). This is what the Lord means when He says, “….and the work of faith with power:”   

(2 Thess 1:12)  That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”   Every saved individual glories in the word, “grace”. It means “undeserved favor bestowed”. No person is given the gift of everlasting life because they deserved it. What each of us, no matter our age deserve, are the agonies of hell fire. Jesus paid for our sins. He took what we deserve – death – on the cross. Thank God for “grace”! 

CHAPTER TWO

(2Th 2:1)  “Now we beseech you,…..”  It is easy to “breeze” by such a statement as this thinking Paul is imploring them for something. Remember, Paul is not writing this; Paul is penning this, acting as a scribe for God. God is imploring (begging) those He has saved, those who have received unmerited favor, those bought back from sin by His Own blood. Should He have to implore us? It reveals how sinful our old nature really is, that He could not simply ask and expect to receive! All the excuses man has for not obeying the Lord sickens me. God help us!

(2Th 2:1) “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,”  The Holy Spirit is about to say, “Since you know this, don’t worry about that.” In other Words, you know you are His and He is coming for you. There are truths that are foundation and should be held to, not cast aside in our minds and hearts. Salvation is one of them. We base our faith upon the knowledge that Jesus died for our sins on the cross, paying its price, was buried and then arose from the dead; that if we would turn in our hearts from our sinful ways He would forgive us and give us eternal life. Not life, but eternal life. We then read some verse that seems to say, “Do this or you will lose it.” We are shaken from our foundation upon which we trusted. God did not promise us “life”. That we could lose. He promised use “never-ending life”. That cannot be taken away, for it does not end. It seems the Bible is the only area of learning where people have a tendency to throw away the foundation for what they seem to learn later. “Since you know this, don’t worry about that.”

(2Th 2:1)  “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”  Why would they be troubled by such news? Because the Day of the Lord is judgment, the tribulation period followed by the judging of the nations. If you “hope” you are saved, then you need to be sure, for the day is at hand!  You can be sure. Just deal with the Lord in sincerity of heart, willing to turn from “all” of your old life to have Christ Jesus and salvation. He died because of the sins of that life you have lived in pleasure of your own will. Ask His forgiveness and for the gift of everlasting life. Believe not only in His payment for your sins and His resurrection but also in His willingness to save you!

(2Th 2:3)  “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,…”  Are we living in such a day? Jesus said of the people of His day, (Mat 15:8) “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Jesus also told us the evidence of our love would be, (Joh_14:15) “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Here’s where the falling away is found. Professing believers living according to their own will (what they think) instead of God’s will (what He has said). Churches today are filled with people who will say, “I know what the Bible says, but….” Yes, we are in the last days.

(2Th 2:3)  “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”  This speaks of the anti-christ. The name given here is interesting. He is the son of “perdition”. Perdition means “ruin or loss”. He will be the son of him who ruined his own life; the son of he who loss greatly because of his own sin. He is the son of the devil. Sin ruins. Sin makes us losers. We lose the blessings that come with being God’s!

(2Th 2:4) “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;”  The anti-christ is the subject. I draw your attention to “Who opposeth…..God”. I say to you as lovingly as I know how, if you do not come and seek to follow God His way, through what is revealed in the pages of the Bible, then you live in opposition to God – no exceptions. There is no middle ground or lacking offense when it comes to how you live your life. Your purpose is to know and serve Him in truth. If you do not, you make yourself the enemy of God (Matthew 6:24; James 4:4; Roman 8:7).

(2Th 2:4) “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped;”   The anti-christ does this to be worshiped. Yet, people side with Satan today in there hearts every time they say, “I know what the Bible says, But…..”  They are admitting they know God said one thing but they will be their own boss (Lord) and do as they please. Sad. In reality they are exalting themselves over God. The Lord God is our Creator; He it is that gives us daily life. He it is that gave His Own Son to pay for our sins, to give us a new nature that would desire to obey Him. Sad that so many choose self-will over “Thy will be done” in their life.

(2Th 2:5)  “Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”  Remember I told you. We have a tendency to forget. The Lord Jesus in facing Satan, quoted the Old Testament: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY word of God” (Matt 4:4). I have read the Bible over and over again since getting saved back in 1973. Why? Lest I forget. Remember.  

(2Th 2:6) “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 

(7)  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”  He that is holding back and restraining is God the Spirit. There is a marked difference between the countries where Christianity has flourished and those where it has not. Now we see as true Christianity becomes less and less (those truly being born again – spirit made alive and the Holy Spirit indwelling) evil has become open and “in your face”. Society is devolving “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:….”  If you belong to the Lord, now is the time to be the most faithful and to snatch as many from the fire as you are able!

(2Th 2:6) “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 

(7)  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:….”  This was penned almost two thousand years ago. Listen, Satan is real! He is moving mightily in the world we live in. Hindering him begins in you and me: (Jas_4:7)  “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The problem I’ve seen among professing believers is that they do not know the Word of God and therefore do not know when their thought processes, their reactions to people, their emotions – are wrong. Satan is at work. Grow in the knowledge of the Word so that you may resist. 

(2Th 2:8)  “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” This occurs at the end of the Tribulation Period. Point: the Lord destroys with the “brightness of His coming”. True Believers are to live in the light of God’s Word. Truth. Truth is light. And light pushes all darkness aside. Always speak the truth as lovingly as you can but still speak it. The only way darkness can prevail is when truth is not spoken.  

(2Th 2:9)  “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”  Understand that this one is pretending to be Christ. So, the signs and lying wonders will appear as “good things”. Even as far back as Egypt, men were able to duplicate some of the miracles of God through Satan. Beware. Not all who claim to be followers of Christ are what they claim to be. Here’s something to look for: “Is the focus of the meeting upon the physical or the spiritual?” The Lord does not care so much for your physical enjoyment as He does for your soul and spirit’s edification!  

(2Th 2:9)  “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10)  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” The lost bought into lies because they would not receive the truth – Jesus Christ: the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6)!  Multitudes claim to love the Lord Jesus Who never pick up His Bible to see how to please Him. This is the “tool” which He used to overcome Satan in the wilderness (“It is written”, Matt 4). We are told to live by Its every Word, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by EVERY Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4) We are told it is the “sword of the Spirit” Who lives inside the truly saved (Eph 6:17). He said, “If ye love Me, keep my commandmants” (Jn 14:15) Our actions indeed speak louder than our words.

(2 Thess 2:10b) “…. because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11)  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”  If one chooses to deny the one and only true God as He has revealed Himself through the Person of Jesus Christ, then they will reap judgment. I personally believe this is what we see today in America. It reminds me of what God said regarding Israel: (Psa 106:13) “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: (14)  But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. (15)  And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.”  It is possible they didn’t even perceive that although their flesh was full, their soul was starving! Friend, forsake your own desires and cling to the Lord. Desire Him first and foremost.

(2 Thess 2:10b) “…. because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11)  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”   Lie: not all of the Bible is true; it contains God’s Word but also contains fables. Truth: The Bible is true from cover to cover. That which seems impossible becomes possible the moment you say, “God”. I have read it through over 100 times, not counting study, and the more I read it the more I see Its truth and accuracy. It is the only Truth upon this earth. Go to it and cling to Its Words!

(2Th 2:11)  “And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12)  That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  Everyone makes a choice in this life for God or to live in sin before Him fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. They are doing so despite the fact they know God’s Son died on a cross for that sin. Attitude: “I’ll do what I want today and tomorrow I will deal with it when it comes.” Sad, for the tomorrows of damnation will never end.

(2 Thess 2:12)  “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  Pleasure in unrighteousness. So many who profess to be saved, do as they desire to do on Sunday and the rest of the week, and then say, “The Lord understands.” Yes, He understands it is disobedience. The Lord never makes allowances for willful disobedience. Such a person wants God to be faithful when they need Him, even though again and again they have been unfaithful, in His face with their sin. God is God, not a genie in a bottle. Obedience is required of Him: (Deu 10:12) “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, (13)  To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?” 

(2 Thess 2:12)  “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  When you consider this verse closely, you have to draw the conclusion that to believe the truth brings with it a change of life: belief, action, withdrawal from what displeases the Savior. Bible belief is not the acceptance of facts as true. Bible believe is acting upon that truth to seek forgiveness and the gift of everlasting life. You and I know instinctively that God hates evil and to embrace Him is to turn our backs upon evil ways. This is why so many will play Christian rather than embrace true Christianity. They would rather lie to themselves and tell themselves God loves them as they are. No, God loves you despite what you are and will be forced to judge your sin with hell if you do not repent and seek the Gift of Everlasting Life in truth.

(2Th 2:13)  “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”  The Lord calls to Himself those whom He knows will listen and respond. Those who truly listen and respond have a heart to turn from the sins that crucified Jesus. That is what a heart of love desires. Does this describe you?  

(2Th 2:13)  “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”   “Sanctification of the Spirit”. One: By the Spirit of God entering and sealing the bodies of the saved, we are set apart from the rest of the world that is lost.  Two: We are set apart as holy vessels to be used of God. Three: By the salvation experience He imparts we are set apart mentally from the thinking of this world. Therefore the truly saved should by their very behavior stand out as different from those who are lost. Saved people who in behavior live as if this does not matter – live in danger: (1Co 3:16) “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17)  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 

(2 Thess 2:13b “….. because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14)  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice the plain Words before us. To believe the truth leads to the actions of responding to the call to be saved, contrasted with Verse 12,  “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth,…”  Truth: to not believe and respond to Jesus is to damn the soul for eternity; to respond in repentance and ask for the gift of everlasting life is to be saved for eternity. There is no other way to be saved: (Act_4:12) “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” 

(2Th 2:14)  “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The Apostle Paul also penned, (1Ti_1:15) “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;…..” Through the salvation experience the Lord makes us alive spiritually, gives us a new nature, and promises us a glorified physical body. In other words, He shares His glory with us! Praise He Who loved us despite our sin, died bearing that sin on the cross, and rose desiring to share His glory, the glory of Jesus Christ!

(2Th 2:14)  “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”   It is fitting that He Who left the fellowship and Who left behind the glory of the Godhead (Jn 17:5) to be clothed in human flesh, to now be glorified in the sight of all men! For my precious Lord the flesh of man became glorified flesh; the life He led is held up as being that which no one else has ever lived (glorified); and His crown of thorns became a diadem of victory over the grave! His love for His Own speaks, saying, “Come to Me and share my glory!”

(2Th 2:15)  “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”  “….or our epistle.”  Here we see the epistles of Paul being held up to follow, for they are the very Words sent by God through the Holy Ghost. “Stand fast”, that is “hold to” those Words. If anything is needed in this day it is for God’s people to stand fast to the Bible. All of the Bible. Not just the parts you like or agree with. Yield your heart to God and embrace all His Words.  

(2Th 2:15)  “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”   Notice he is not referring to the traditions of men, but those of God given by “word” (revelation) or in writing (epistles). We need to be wise when casing aside a “tradition”, for we may very well be casing aside something done with a good sound Biblical reason. Music is one area. People think of music as ‘amoral’. It is not. I have one goal when ministering the gospel, exalting the spirit. Music can move the flesh. The Bible plainly says, (Gal_5:17)  “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Wouldn’t to intentionally stir the flesh be working against my desire to exalt the spirit? Be careful when casting aside traditions.

(2Th 2:16)  “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”  Take the time to ponder today the fact that the Lord Jesus Himself, is actively at work in “establishing you”, making you stronger in the faith today! My Savior Who suffered paying for my sins that I so often think little of, still has His hand upon me in this very minute! May He be glorified in my life and yours!

(2Th 2:16)  “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”  Not only is our Precious Lord Jesus still at work in the heart of the Born Again Believer, but so also is Almighty God – notice: “….even our Father….”  How can I say that not all men are God’s children? Answer: the Word of God says it: (Gal 4:4)  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6)  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”  Have you been adopted?

(2Th 2:16)  “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”  Why do we need this everlasting consolation? Remember first this is written to brothers and sisters all over the world. Many are in danger. All struggle with our  own sinful nature and feel troubled at sins’ effects upon both ourselves and the world around us. Thank God for His consolation, reminding us our struggle is but a short time upon this earth – eternity awaits!

(2Th 2:16)  “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”   Not only does the Lord console our hearts regarding all that comes with living in this wicked world, but also He gives us “hope”. Not wishful thinking, as the word normally means to the lost, but “an expectant looking for a sure coming event”. We will be delivered from this life to live forever in the presence of the Lord! This sinful body will be left behind. This wicked world will be left behind! Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

(2Th 2:16)  “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17)  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”   I draw you attention to the word, “grace”. It means “favor received but not deserved”. Because of circumstances, many believe they deserve better from God. Truth: we deserve the agonies of hell for eternity. It is the grace of God that we are not there right now. If you are saved, it is not because you merit it, but because God is merciful. The Lord Jesus honestly said to us: (Joh_16:33) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”   

(2 Th 2:17)  “Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.”   If there is a good word and work, then there are those which are not good words or works. Yes, the Lord looks to the heart’s desire, but still there are some things that do not, in reality, glorify Him. So often people speak of the Lord leading them to do this or that which in reality goes against God’s Word. If you are not knowledgeable enough to know God’s Word, go to one who does. Be sure your word or work truly glorifies God. It does matter. He does care.

CHAPTER THREE

(2Th 3:1)  “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”  Pray that the Word of Lord, that is the giving forth of the gospel, may not be restrained from sharing. Most of the time, in our society, it is only restrained by our own lack of concern for the souls of others. No one is telling us not to share Christ. We simply do not care what happens to them. Oh, sure, on some level we care. But not enough to put them first over ourselves at that moment. God help us! Touch my soul with conviction, repentance, and true Godly concern!  

(2Th 3:1)  “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”   “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may…..be glorified,…”  God’s people need to hold forth the Word of God (the Bible) as being true from start to finish. It needs to be held up as it is in truth – the only revelation of God. Who do men think they are, picking and choosing what they will believe or not? Either it is or it is not the Word of God! Stand on it and hold it forth for all to see. There is only one way to be saved: repent and believe that Jesus paid for your sins. Ask the Lord for mercy to save your soul. Then seek to live in obedience to God’s Word for His glory!

(2Th 3:2)  “And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.”  We forget that it takes faith (belief that what God says is true – that He does all He says) to embrace eternal life. Today is a generation who have not been exposed to the blessed Book. They have been confused by an influx of hundreds of Bible versions. They have been told by so-called Scholars that the Bible contains fiction (it does not!). Their soul does not desire anything that would say, “You need a change in your life”. Therefore they are unreasonable when approached and continue in their wickedness. Hear me: but not all! There are thirsty souls out there waiting for a caring Child of God to reach them!  

(2Th 3:3) “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”  “Stablish”: to set fast. Yes, we each are to determine in our hearts to stand for the Lord, living for His glory. But we must understand that the ability to stand comes from the power of the Lord within us, keeping us, strengthening us. As you live and stand for the Lord, be careful of the deceitfulness of pride. We still have the fallen nature within us. Its foundation is pride. Think right. Pride is of the devil. Your ability to think right and live right comes through the Holy Spirit (God the Spirit) Who lives within you! Give Him all the glory!   

(2Th 3:3) “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”   From the context, we know the evil the Lord is asked to keep them from was persecution. We can rightly say, though, the Lord wishes to keep all His children from evil: evil ways and evil things. The problem is God’s children don’t always desire such. Since we haven’t obeyed the Lord in reprogramming our thinking (Rom 12:1-2), we don’t see sin as God sees it. To us, it is not such a bad thing. Yet, it was for that “not such a bad thing” Jesus suffered the cross.

(2Th 3:4)  “And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.”  Today’s professed believers look at the Bible as a set of suggestions, to be accepted or rejected as they will. They are not! The Bible is the Word of He Who made us, continues to give us life, Who gave His Son to die on Calvary Cross to pay for our sins, and Who will one day judge each of us – “the quick and the dead”(2 Tim 4:1). His Word of instruction is therefore a command. Do you see it as such?  

(2Th 3:5) “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” There are two meanings to the first part of this verse. We will take one each day. The first is to love God Himself. We are to love Him to the degree that we love Him more than ourselves. Tall order. By our very nature we love ourselves first and foremost. That is why the verse reads, “And the Lord direct your hearts…” Remember, the Lord never makes us, overcomes our free will, to  love Him. He desires a freely given love. God help us to love Him more!

(2Th 3:5) “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” 1) Direct us to love Him as we should. 2) To love others through Him. Remember the Lord Jesus said the law could be summed up with this: (Mat 22:37) “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38)  This is the first and great commandment. (39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” We are not to dismiss this as impossible, for once you say “God” all things become possible. It is for us to practice by faith.

(2Th 3:5) “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”  We need the Lord to direct us in the patient waiting for Christ. Although we know He can come today, very few people expect it, or look for it. That is why you and I put off doing what we should do today, rather than live today as if tomorrow may never come. I don’t know about you, but my heart convicts me this moment.

(2Th 3:6)  “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”  There are two reasons for this. First, for your own sake; we are influenced by those we spend time with. They “rub off on us”:  (Pro 22:24) “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: (25)  Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.”; (1Co 5:5) “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (6)  Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (7)  Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.” God’s desire is holiness in us which brings communion with Him. Continued – tomorrow.

(2Th 3:6)  “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”  Adding to what was said yesterday regarding withdrawing from one who says they are saved yet walks disorderly, is the importance of Christ’s reputation. The only evidence that salvation is real is the changed life of the professing Believer. If you think like the lost and act like a lost person – chances are you are a lost person. They will conclude the same, in their minds believing Christianity to be  a sham.

(2Th 3:6)  “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”  The second purpose for not fellowshipping with one who professes the Lord yet will not do right, is that such a life brings shame to the Name of the Lord and unbelief to the lost. They view such a person and think there is nothing to Christianity but religious practice. No! The Spirit of God lives inside the truly saved. They have the power of the highest in them to live lives of victory over sin! True Christianity is a walking, talking, living relationship where the saved loves the Lord first and foremost and his life reflects it.

(2Th 3:6)  “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. (7)  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;”  In essence, Paul is penning, “Follow me as I follow the Lord.” We are to encourage other believers to follow our Lord and to live such a life before them. There is no such thing as “Don’t do as I do; do better.”  Let us walk together as lights shining in a world of darkness.

(2Th 3:8)  “Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:”  The motivation for this man of God was not physical gain. It was the good of others. That “good” begins with the soul. Sad: many times we will bend over backwards to meet a physical need. The lost will always be happy with that effort. But we won’t speak to them regarding their greatest need – their soul. We know they will not always receive that so readily. New mindset – be willing to suffer in order to tell others of their soul’s need.  

(2Th 3:8)  “Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:”   One thing we should learn from this verse is that everlasting life, escape from Hell, Sonship through Adoption, forgiveness of sins, the Gift of the Holy Spirit, cannot be bought at any price. It cannot be earned by any efforts on our part. The standard for heaven is perfection of life. The Bible proclaims “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. It can only be received by humble repentance of sin and asking for God’s mercy. Jesus paid it all!

(2Th 3:9)  “Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.”  As an Apostle, Paul had the right to expect his needs to be met by the church (1 Timothy 5:18). Yet, he did not for he had discovered a problem among them and had addressed it in his first letter: (2Th_3:10) “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”  He worked to set an example for others. Listen, doing the Lord’s work does not negate your responsibility to your family.

(2Th 3:11)  “For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.”  There are those who seek to meddle in the affairs of others. Our pride makes us think we know the best way to do all things, that our taste is the only good taste, and we judge the world through those eyes. Doesn’t that thinking go against, “Esteem other better than yourselves” (Phil 2:3)? The Lord calls such a practice, “disorderly”. God help us to recognize pride in ourselves and protect others from it!

(2 Th 3:11c) “…..but are busybodies.  (12)  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”  To obey is to work to change habits one has developed, maybe even natural tendencies. We each have such that we need to change in order to please the Lord. Is this easy? No. Is it possible? Yes, by depending upon the Spirit of God to help. The Lord is worth it! Remember, the word “Lord” means “right to rule over me”.

(2Th 3:13) “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”  We have only one true purpose in this life – the glorification of He Who saved us! We are to spend and be spent for Him. Will it cost you time? Yes. Will it cost you effort? Yes. In a “me” society these thoughts certainly go against our nature. But the Lord has plainly said in His Word: (1Co 6:20)  “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Growing weary? Today may be the last day you have to do well in His Name!  

(2Th 3:14)  “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” The idea here is to bring a professing disobedient believer to the path of obedience to God’s Word. It is not just staying away from such a one; but lovingly admonishing their disobedience to God. To do so lovingly rather than indignantly, is to say we still love you but choose God rather than man. The loving attitude says we are ready always to bring them back into fellowship.

(2Th 3:14)  “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (15)  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”  We have let non-spiritual people influence us into thinking it is not loving to treat someone rebelling against God differently. I say it is not loving to do otherwise. When we truly love someone we want the absolute best for them. To treat them as right with God when they are not, is to tell them it does not matter. It does matter to both our own soul and theirs. Remember: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”. God absolutely does chasten His children.