It Starts Small

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-16

we ought always to thank God

Do you give thanks for the things you should give thanks for? Reflection on gratitude can often reveal those aspects of life we take for granted, perhaps even subconsciously dismissing their value. What is something you should give thanks for but don’t? Take a moment to consider the little joys, the everyday comforts, and the supportive relationships that may go unacknowledged. In our busy lives, we might forget to express gratitude for a warm cup of coffee in the morning. We might also overlook the unwavering support of a friend during tough times. Embracing a mindset of appreciation not only enriches our own lives but also fosters deeper connections with those around us. Thus, the practice of giving thanks extends beyond mere words. It cultivates a sense of awareness. This leads to contentment that can greatly enhance our overall well-being.

loved by the Lord, because God chose you

Paul passionately reveals to the Thessalonians an alarming glimpse of the most harrowing time humanity will ever endure. It is a truly grim portrait of despair. But amidst the shadows, he offers them profound reassurance. They are shielded from this impending judgment because of their cherished bond with God. Simply put, the Lord adores them with an unwavering love. But why? What divine motivation drives God to lower Himself to love them so deeply?

The answer resonates powerfully in verse 13. God loves them, not due to their goodness or worthiness. It is not based on any merit they possess. It is because God chose them. It is as straightforward as that! God made that choice, and in doing so, He chose to love them profoundly. This serves as the ultimate testament that love transcends mere feelings; it is a deliberate decision. How will you respond to the incredible choice God made to love you?

For Salvation

What a glorious truth that God has chosen both them and us for a divine purpose! He chose us for salvation, a magnificent gift that assures us we cannot lose what He has granted. But that’s not all; He also chose us for the powerful journey of sanctification! These two sacred concepts are inseparable, bound together in a beautiful dance of grace. Without salvation, sanctification cannot flourish, and without sanctification, our salvation remains dormant. His Spirit actively ignites this transformative process. We play a crucial role by responding in faith to His glorious truth. So, I ask you—are you being sanctified? Are you reflecting the likeness of Christ more vividly than you did last year?

 He called you

Why did He call you? He summoned them (and us) to immerse us in the magnificent glory of Christ! What does this truly signify? It means to be elevated, just as Christ was, so that we may embody His essence. Glory resonates with the idea of being exalted, of being lifted high. Christ knew no depths as we do, yet, astonishingly, we too are destined to rise as He did! We are elevated to the glorious status of being children of God, becoming cherished brothers and sisters of Christ!

¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Romans 8:17

We have been chosen and called for a profound purpose! God does not desire for us to wallow in our sins like a dog returning to its vomit (Proverbs 26:11). Just imagine a king adopting a boy from the village who was known as a thief. The king takes him in as his own son. Wouldn’t the king expect this boy to turn his life around, to cease stealing? How would the king feel if this boy rejected his new life? What if he refused to embrace the royal home, shunned the elegant clothes, ignored the valuable education, and neglected his royal duties? What if he instead ran back to the streets to steal? The king would be heartbroken, and that boy would become the laughingstock of the entire kingdom! What a fool he would be! He would be trading his glorious position as the king’s son for the meager spoils of half-eaten apples! Yet, this is the choice we make. We turn our backs on God’s laws. We cling fiercely to the very sinful habits we abandoned when we turned to Christ.

stand firm and hold fast

When we think of traditions, our minds often spark images of flickering candles, cherished days that mark the calendar, vibrant festivals, and more. The Jewish community perhaps envisioned the sacred act of hand washing and similar practices. Yet, let us remember—these are all creations of man. Embracing man-made traditions is perfectly acceptable as long as they align with biblical principles. We must recognize that not everyone is bound to follow the same path. However, the “tradition” Paul speaks of is different altogether. He passionately addresses the essential doctrines imparted to the Thessalonians. These profound “traditions” envelop the core of our faith. They encompass the divinity and humanity of Jesus, His miraculous bodily resurrection, and His glorious second coming.

Remember, Satan is the ultimate father of lies! He relentlessly seeks to sabotage God’s perfect plan. When the gospel reaches a new area, stay assured. Satan will be nearby, lurking. He twists the truth and unleashes a wave of false teachings. It’s imperative for believers everywhere to be vigilant! We must wield discernment like a sword. We must steadfastly refuse to compromise even the smallest word of God. It does not matter how tiny it seems. Those seemingly insignificant compromises pave the way for monumental betrayals. A little lie will inevitably spiral into a monstrous deception. So, let us not venture down that treacherous slope; instead, stand resolutely on the unshakeable solid rock!

Christ himself

Here we dive deeper into the boundless relationship we share with Christ. His love for us is profound and unwavering. Remember, in those moments when despair creeps in, that Christ’s love envelops you unconditionally. He yearns to cradle you during your darkest trials. When you find yourself feeling low, turn to God’s Word. Ask Him for solace. He will respond with open arms. Similarly, we can draw inspiration even amidst the good works we undertake. God walks beside you, witnessing every effort you make. He delights in your endeavors. He will infuse you with the strength to fulfill the divine calling He has placed upon your life.

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Discussion Questions

• How did God feel about the Thessalonians?
• How did Paul feel about them?
• The previous verses tell us something about Satan’s plan. What do we learn in verse 13 about God’s plan for the Thessalonians? When did He form this plan?
• What did He call the Thessalonians for?
• What does it mean that they may “gain the glory” of our Lord Jesus Christ?
• What kind of traditions was Paul referring to? Does this show us that traditions such as holding hands for prayer, lighting a unity candle for a wedding, or Christmas Eve services are important? Why or why not?
• What has our Father done for us?

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