Monday 26th of August
“We thank God for your faith and your love.”
2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11-12
Today’s passage highlights a confidence in God’s care and concern for what happens in this world, a confidence that cannot be taken for granted. Paul’s message calls us to “hang in there” in hope and faith, as a community. God is faithful and wickedness will be punished in the end. The Christian community is sustained by our mutual thanksgiving and prayer, and common resolve to be engaged in acts of love for one another.
Verse 12 reveals the purpose of God’s work in us and shows how everything in our lives becomes a vehicle to bring praise to our Lord Jesus. He further enriches our lives as more of Jesus is glorified in us, and so we need to keep in mind that the reason God fulfils His holy work in us is to glorify Jesus Christ in our lives. Though we are rewarded and enriched, the greater purpose is to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. Paul teaches us Christians that we have a reason for living and we have purpose and hope because God is in control and knows what He’s doing. Do we live fully in God’s trust?