III. Standing Firm in Faithfulness (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)

III. Standing Firm in Faithfulness (2:13-17)

2:13-14 Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonians and identifies four ways God has been active in their lives. First, they are loved by the Lord (2:13). God’s love operates in cosmic proportions. In fact, you were loved “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4-5). If he loved you that far in advance, just imagine how he feels about you now that you believe in Jesus for eternal life.

Second, Paul tells the believers, God has chosen you (2:13). In view here is the doctrine of election. The surrounding context makes it clear that this choosing does not refer to personal salvation but to deliverance from the tribulation through the rapture (2:1-4, 11-12; cp. 1 Thess 5:1-9). That ought to make you persevere when things become rough.

Third, God desires sanctification in his people (2:13). You were set apart for special use—to be holy. God sanctifies us by the Spirit and through belief in the truth (2:13)—that is, when the Holy Spirit works in us as we obediently trust his Word.

Fourth, God called you (2:14). God always calls people from here to there, and Satan’s job is to keep us from getting there—to keep you from finding your purpose in life. And you certainly can’t get there if you keep looking back at where you’ve been (see Phil 3:13-14).

God wants Christians to be partners with his Son, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus (2:14). God will eventually turn the whole universe over to Christ. That’s why Jesus refused Satan’s temptation to worship him in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world (see Matt 4:8-10). Jesus knew that he would one day rule the world anyway—through faithfulness to the Father. Some of us seek the things of this world through unrighteousness, but God already intends to give the world to his people, if we stand firm.

2:15 This is Paul’s theme: Stand firm. You are to be like a member of the Queen’s Guard in England—no matter what happens around you, you stand firm. While everybody else is waffling and buying into different worldviews, you hold onto the truth of Scripture.

Too many are fast-food Christians or spiritual hitchhikers, desiring convenience and a free ride. The Christian life is based on long-term perseverance. If you only follow Christ when he gives you good things, and not when you struggle, then you’re not following Christ at all.

Paul told the Thessalonians to hold to the traditions . . . taught by apostolic authority, by the Word of God. Legitimate tradition does not contradict Christ. False traditions, the things you do because that’s what you’ve always done, should be cast aside. Personal preference and cultural practice are not equal to the Word of God. Don’t let human traditions enslave you; your Master is Christ (see Col 2:8).

2:16 The Christian life can be difficult as we try to hang on, try to toe the line, and wait for God to come through. But consider Paul: He said he was beaten, but he wasn’t destroyed; he was downcast, but he wasn’t obliterated (see 2 Cor 4:8-9). He got tired. But he reminds us that God has given us eternal encouragement and good hope.

God has already put on deposit in eternity all the comfort you need to deal with any situation you face. Think of it like having a well-supplied account at the bank; all you have to do is write a withdrawal slip. And prayer is the slip. When David was depressed, he looked inside himself, and said, “Why, my soul, are you so dejected?” Then he told himself, “Put your hope in God.” He knew that in doing so, he could keep praising God (Ps 42:5).

2:17 Encouragement comes from other people too. Paul prays for the Thessalonians, that God would encourage [their] hearts and strengthen [them] in every good work and word. Maybe you’ve been downcast, but then you go to church, and the sermon is exactly what you needed to hear. Maybe somebody called you at just the right moment when you were filled with despair. Such experiences aren’t lucky coincidences. They are God’s use of others to perform his supernatural encouragement and strengthening in our lives. That’s why we need one another.

But how can you stand firm if you don’t know how long it will be until deliverance comes? Well, imagine the teams rowing together in the Olympics. Eight men in the boat have their backs to the finish line, but they’re looking at the coxswain. He’s looking at the line and talking to them: “Row harder! The finish line is coming; don’t give up!” Jesus is your coxswain. He knows where the end point is. You just watch him and row. Keep your eyes on “the source and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2), and stand firm.