Scripture Daily

Context No. 2969 of 4322 · 2 Thessalonians

Context · Reflection

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17: in context

13But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter. 16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.

Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonians, because, he says, God chose you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and belief in the truth, calling you through the gospel to share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, he urges, stand firm and hold to the teachings you were given. And may the Lord Jesus and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work.

Two movements sit together. Paul grounds the believers' security in God's choice and calling from the beginning, an anchor that predates and outlasts their own wavering. And he pairs that with a charge, stand firm and hold fast, and a prayer that God himself would comfort and strengthen them. The truth that God chose us is not meant to make us passive but stable, secure enough to stand firm and comforted enough to keep doing good.

Does knowing God chose and called me steady me to stand firm and keep doing good, rather than drift or lose heart?

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