Good morning,
This is a wonderful time of year when genuine followers of Jesus celebrate the truth of a suffering Servant who willingly went through a cruel death in order to pay the price for all of our sins and come back to life to offer salvation to anyone who would accept him as Savior and Lord. Alas, we are also plagued by religious leaders who have real questions about Jesus and salvation and offer us more “believable” answers to the meaning and purpose of life. If we look beyond the religious people, we are faced with cultures and belief systems that want nothing to do with this carpenter, Jesus, that claims to be Creator and Savior of what he calls “His World.” If we watch any thoughtful person in each of these groups, we will see someone who is sincere about their beliefs. It help us a lot to remember that sincerity is never a reliable proof of what is being called “the truth.” When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about this issue, he reminded them that those people who are in rebellion to God will listen to Satan’s version of “truth” and, He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them.(2Thes.2:10)
It’s true that God really does love his world, but God also know what is going on in each person’s heart. Since God knows how people will respond to these lies, Paul goes on to say, So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies.(v.11) What is God’s basis for this response? Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.(v.12) Does this give us the right to despise the people who have been taken in by this false truth. Never! As people who have really found the truth, the Lord wants us to respond to his love for all the world by lovingly living out the truths he has given us. We have genuinely Good News to share with those around us. We have the joy and freedom that comes from the Holy Spirit as we face the same challenges that every one of us face in life. Paul goes on to point out, With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.(v.15) God longs for us to grow in our faith and relationship with him so that those around us who are looking for God’s truth will find us as reliable guides to His eternal truth and their eternal life. Paul ends this part of his letter by giving us this loving prayer.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, 17 comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
Dear Lord, May this be true for us as well.
Roy Wisner
