Today's thought “Those who are perishing because …”

“Those who are perishing because …”

(November 19)

We are challenged by the way Paul uses the word “truth” three times in 2 Thessalonians 2. He also uses it eleven times in his letters to Timothy, which we are just about to read. There is not much “truth” spoken today. No one admits anything they say is a lie, but it is a challenging question to ask ourselves ‘Can we really make a positive statement about something which is neither a “lie” nor “the truth”?

The tactic of deliberately giving a misleading impression is all too common; some refer to such as ‘half-truths’! Let’s consider some of the points Paul makes. He writes of “those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (verse 10). So ‘truth’ is not just something to be spoken – there is a certain “truth” which is something to be loved – and those who do not do this – perish!

What is the specific “sense” of the “truth” Paul is referring to here? It is the truth about God and the truth about his ways and the beliefs he is looking for humans to accept and – as a result – then to live their lives in a way that shows they willingly – indeed joyfully – accept this truth as the only meaningful way to live their lives.

We are then challenged to understand the character of God when the next two verses tell us “therefore God shall send them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (verses 11,12).

Some pull a curtain across their minds as to the character of God; to simply say ‘God is love’ is an oversimplification. Those who have pleasure in unrighteousness cannot serve God acceptably. God knows our hearts; we can intellectually know – and say we understand what is true – but do we love that which is true? We may believe God is soon going to make his power known in a very dramatic way! Do we “see” in our hearts that God is being “righteous” in doing this – that God is doing the right thing – because the world deserves this!

Verse 13 says we are chosen by God “to be saved through sanctification (holiness) by the Spirit and belief in the truth”. In contrast, when Jesus returns he will “inflict vengeance on all those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel …” (1:8). But, oh the wonder and joy for those who do (1:9-12)! And you?

Today's thought “Those who are perishing because …” (November 19)

“Those who are perishing because …”

(November 19)

We are challenged by the way Paul uses the word “truth” three times in 2 Thessalonians 2. He also uses it eleven times in his letters to Timothy, which we are just about to read. There is not much “truth” spoken today. No one admits anything they say is a lie, but it is a challenging question to ask ourselves ‘Can we really make a positive statement about something which is neither a “lie” nor “the truth”?

The tactic of deliberately giving a misleading impression is all too common; some refer to such as ‘half-truths’! Let’s consider some of the points Paul makes. He writes of “those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved” (verse 10). So ‘truth’ is not just something to be spoken – there is a certain “truth” which is something to be loved – and those who do not do this – perish!

What is the specific “sense” of the “truth” Paul is referring to here? It is the truth about God and the truth about his ways and the beliefs he is looking for humans to accept and – as a result – then to live their lives in a way that shows they willingly – indeed joyfully – accept this truth as the only meaningful way to live their lives.

We are then challenged to understand the character of God when the next two verses tell us “therefore God shall send them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (verses 11,12).

Some pull a curtain across their minds as to the character of God; to simply say ‘God is love’ is an oversimplification. Those who have pleasure in unrighteousness cannot serve God acceptably. God knows our hearts; we can intellectually know – and say we understand what is true – but do we love that which is true? We may believe God is soon going to make his power known in a very dramatic way! Do we “see” in our hearts that God is being “righteous” in doing this – that God is doing the right thing – because the world deserves this!

Verse 13 says we are chosen by God “to be saved through sanctification (holiness) by the Spirit and belief in the truth”. In contrast, when Jesus returns he will “inflict vengeance on all those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel …” (1:8). But, oh the wonder and joy for those who do (1:9-12)! And you?

Today's thought “… but to please God”

“… but to please God”

(November 16)

A simple – and maybe obvious point – attracted our attention as we read the first 2 chapters of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. What motivates us to do things? What motivated Paul? Today, it can be: to make money, to create an opportunity for enjoyment; some excitement – and other things which centre on ourselves.

Paul makes a simple, yet vital point when he writes, “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God” (2:4).

Let us be conscious, as Paul was – and states in his next words – that we, “… please God who tests our hearts”. So man, especially those who have no consciousness of the all-seeing eyes of God and his angels, speak and act with different motives. Paul observes this in the verses which follow; we note the contrast between his motives and theirs. He says, “for we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with pretext for greed – God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others …” (verses 5,6). The extreme opposite of this is seen in those seeking political positions of high office.

Prayerful reading and meditation of God’s word is the antidote for any inclination to do this, notice how Paul was pleased with the believers at Thessalonica over this, writing, “we also thank God constantly … that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God , which is at work in you believers” (2:13).

May that be happening among us, but it will only happen when we constantly read and reflect and act upon what we are reading so that the thoughts, God has inspired, become part of our way of thinking. We do this “to please God” and, as a result, it becomes true of us also that “the word of God” is “at work in you believers”

“… but turned aside after gain”

(June 27)

1 Samuel 8 starts by telling us “when Samuel became old …” and the next few chapters tell us of all the drama that happened in his old age. The first problem was that Samuel’s sons whom he had made judges “did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice” (verse 3).

There is no record of Samuel’s wife. How important it is for a wife to support her husband in the spiritual training of their children especially one as busy as Samuel for “he judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel …” (7:15-17).

We live in a world where few if any of those in authority have any real Bible based principles, everyone is “after gain” in some way to some degree. Those who seek to serve the Almighty and his Son must be after a different kind of “gain” – treasure that they can lay up in heaven (see Luke 12:21,33,34)!

When Jesus returns those who have done this will be “judges” – reigning with him in his kingdom. Maybe Samuel’s role as a judge is an example – but they will have divine power, which the Apostles experienced as a foretaste of “the powers of the age to come” (Hebrews 6:4).

In those days the whole world will be taught righteousness and what a wonderful word picture we read today in Isaiah of this time! “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says in Zion, ‘Your God reigns’ … The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” (52:7,10).

To talk of beautiful feet is a poetic expression of the joys of doing the Lord’s work. What a challenge it is to “walk” in that way now. As a final passage look at Hebrews 13, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he (Jesus) has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (verses 5,6). Let us confidently say that!

Today's thought “… but to please God”

“… but to please God”

(November 16)

A simple – and maybe obvious point – attracted our attention as we read the first 2 chapters of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. What motivates us to do things? What motivated Paul? Today, it can be: to make money, to create an opportunity for enjoyment; some excitement – and other things which centre on ourselves.

Paul makes a simple, yet vital point when he writes, “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God” (2:4).

Let us be conscious, as Paul was – and states in his next words – that we, “… please God who tests our hearts”. So man, especially those who have no consciousness of the all-seeing eyes of God and his angels, speak and act with different motives. Paul observes this in the verses which follow; we note the contrast between his motives and theirs. He says, “for we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with pretext for greed – God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others …” (verses 5,6). The extreme opposite of this is seen in those seeking political positions of high office.

Prayerful reading and meditation of God’s word is the antidote for any inclination to do this, notice how Paul was pleased with the believers at Thessalonica over this, writing, “we also thank God constantly … that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God , which is at work in you believers” (2:13).

May that be happening among us, but it will only happen when we constantly read and reflect and act upon what we are reading so that the thoughts, God has inspired, become part of our way of thinking. We do this “to please God” and, as a result, it becomes true of us also that “the word of God” is “at work in you believers”.

Resources | Today's thought - based on the daily readings

Resources | Today's thought - based on the daily readings

“… but to please God”

(November 16)

A simple – and maybe obvious point – attracted our attention as we read the first 2 chapters of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. What motivates us to do things? What motivated Paul? Today, it can be: to make money, to create an opportunity for enjoyment; some excitement – and other things which centre on ourselves.

Paul makes a simple, yet vital point when he writes, “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God” (2:4).

Let us be conscious, as Paul was – and states in his next words – that we, “… please God who tests our hearts”. So man, especially those who have no consciousness of the all-seeing eyes of God and his angels, speak and act with different motives. Paul observes this in the verses which follow; we note the contrast between his motives and theirs. He says, “for we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with pretext for greed – God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others …” (verses 5,6). The extreme opposite of this is seen in those seeking political positions of high office.

Prayerful reading and meditation of God’s word is the antidote for any inclination to do this, notice how Paul was pleased with the believers at Thessalonica over this, writing, “we also thank God constantly … that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as what it really is, the word of God , which is at work in you believers” (2:13).

May that be happening among us, but it will only happen when we constantly read and reflect and act upon what we are reading so that the thoughts, God has inspired, become part of our way of thinking. We do this “to please God” and, as a result, it becomes true of us also that “the word of God” is “at work in you believers”.

Today's thought

“I was ashamed to ask”

(November 12)

Today’s reading in Ezra (chapter 8) does not look at first very interesting with all its detail about those returning from captivity in Babylon. It appears that Ezra himself wrote this chapter and the next. He led a company of Levites who were returning to Jerusalem and they had with them a great quantity of gold and silver, as detailed in chapter 7; this was the what Nebuchadnezzar had plundered from the Temple about 100 years before.

The Persian King is motivated to send it back to the Temple that had now been reconstructed. It is just possible that this King was the son of Queen Esther of whom we are going to read in a couple of weeks’ time. Ahasuerus is mentioned chapter 4:6 and Daniel refers to a king of this name in Daniel 9:1: a connection would explain the action of this king Artaxerxes (see chapter 7:21).

These Levites are carrying a cargo of enormous value, the 20 gold bowls (verse 27) alone contained 250 ounces of gold! What a target for robbers what a challenge of faith for Ezra and his fellow Levites.

Ezra proclaims a fast (verse 21). before they set out “that we might humble ourselves”. He then said, “For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, ‘The hand of our God is for good on all those who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all those who forsake him’”.

Scripture shows that sometimes God leads us through the valleys for our ‘long term’ good – that we grow and gain the full assurance of faith: these are times of testing to teach us to even more earnestly commit our lives to God. If we are ‘soldiers for Christ’ there are journeys to be undertaken and tests to be endured; we will read examples of such in Paul’s letters from tomorrow as we have just finished reading in Acts. As we grow spiritually stronger we must not be ashamed of professing our faith.

When Ezra reaches Jerusalem he says, “The hand of our God was on us and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and from ambushes by the way” (verse 31). As we complete the journey of our own lives may we say the same – or when it is evident that our Lord is returning and the ‘virgins’ are going forth with their lamps and are seeing “the power of his wrath … against all those who forsake him” (verse 22).

http://www.thechristadelphian.com/thought_for_the_day.htm