(REFLECTIONS ON 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)

Why does Paul, Silas, and Timothy give thanks to God for the Thessalonian believers? It is because despite persecution and afflictions for their faith, they endure, persevere, and remain faithful. Their faith is greatly enlarged, rather than diminishing, and their love grows ever greater, rather than decreasing in conflict.

This is a testimony of true faith in Christ Jesus, that despite suffering, persecution, and afflictions, rather than leading to conflict, inner turmoil, and chaos, the church is growing in faith, growing in love, and standing firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This is an example for us of a faith that endures. It is one thing for the church to sing songs of praise, to raise a Hallelujah, to give thanks to God when blessings abound. However, it perhaps is an even greater testimony, when despite disappointment, struggles, conflict, and challenges, that the church continues to praise the Lord.

What is amazing is the Thessalonian church isn’t only continuing, but their faith is greatly enlarged, and their love toward one another grows ever greater. A faith that endures is one that, no matter how the world tries to put out the passion and fire for the Lord in the heart of believers, that the flames grow larger, that the passion grows even more, and the conviction to do the Lord’s work increases.

A faith that endures is one that doesn’t give up because of challenges, but rather presses forward even more. That is the type of faith that Paul, Silas, and Timothy speak proudly of among the churches of God, and it is the type of faith that we should encourage, testify about, and live out today as well.

A faith that endures is one that knows God, trusts in His Word, and obeys the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in the end as Paul, Silas, and Timothy prayed for the Thessalonians, so we too can hold onto hope in this prayer as well:

11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A faith that endures is a faith with a purpose and a promise, and that promise is that God will count us worthy of His calling to do His good works on earth, so that the Lord may be glorified in us, and us in Him, all by the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 2 Thessalonians 1