2_Thessalonians 1:3-12
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power 10 on the day He comes to be glorified in His holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the Name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. [all emphasis added]
When you read this passage, what thoughts is the Lord bringing to your mind? Are you focused on the unity of believers in the early church - their faith in trials - their perseverance in growing and enduring these trials?
OR - do you melt with compassion over the 'lost' souls in your own family, work, school, neighborhood, [and even] your church body, who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord [Master] and Savior and are on their way to an eternity in hell - separated from God's presence, His power and His majesty?
Who do you know that does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
Who will you plead before the Father, that he/she would be saved?
Have you offered this person, JESUS? You have nothing else to give them. Your opinion doesn't count, your knowledge won't help them, your thoughtfulness is nice but it won't quench the fire of hell.
As I ask you to ponder these questions, I ask myself the same ones. I just lost a distant family member - who as far as I know - died without knowing or obeying Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. There is no more hope for that one.... But there are still others .........
Acts 3:6 [KJV]
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Will we give them JESUS?
Choosing JOY, Stephanie
[JESUS - For His Name's Sake]
5 comments:
Praying that you and I will show them Jesus.
Thank you for proclaiming the truth Stephanie! So few churches talk about fire and judgment, but this is how the return of the Lord will be! We all need to be reminded of the reason we are here and our purpose of loving and serving God by bringing in His harvest!
Have a blessed week
Robin
When a colleague of mine died suddenly 2 years ago... it got my attention.
1st- Why is he dead today and not me...
2nd- The stunning reality of our temporal nature here and the truth that was rejected. I invited him to a Christ centered breakfast.. but he rejected Christ.
think I lost my comment!
Loved this post - made me think about the lost in this world and how we meed to spreading the truth of the gospel to all so that they can be spared an eternity in hell!
Funny, my first impulse is to think of myself (being counted worthy of the calling, etc.) and how it pertains to my own judgment. See, that's just like my fleshly nature; ; more concerned about my end result rather than others. God tells me that my end result is "good to go"; now time to focus on those who are lost.
So convicting, friend. Thanks...
peace~elaine
Post a Comment