(2 Thessalonians 2:13-17)….. 13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Paul had written to the Thessalonians to correct the possible misconceptions about the return of Christ for His bride (the Church), and in doing so, found it necessary to encourage those who believed upon Jesus Christ, that they were loved by God and would not be forgotten by Him.
What is God’s purpose for them (and us). It is obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. A blessing that Paul always (diligently) prayed for them concerning their faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12). What is necessary for obtaining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ?
- Being Thankful To God – (2:13-14). Notice, Paul was bound (under obligation) to give thanks to God for them because God from the beginning had chosen them for salvation. Referring to them as beloved by the Lord, is evidence of God’s love for them (us). When was god’s love and choosing of them decided? Notice, what Scripture tells us, from the beginning, it was decided by the foreknowledge of God from the beginning.
2. (1 Peter 1:1-2)…..Peter, in writing to the Jewish believers of the dispersion, we see that the believer is referred to as the as the ELECT of God. Peter says, “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. The word foreknowledge comes from prognosis {prog’-no-sis}, it means, forethought or pre-arrangement. The word election comes from ekloge {ek-log-ay’}, it means the act of picking out or choosing.
Related to the idea of being chosen, which comes from the greek word eklegomai {ek-leg’-om-ahee} which means to pick out, to choose, to pick or choose for one’s self. So, being the elect (chosen) of God is in keeping with God’s plan which He designed beforehand, before the foundation of the world, before creation even took place. I want us to reflect on this truth this mornin, He Chose Us! But what for? For SALVATION (John 6:44) (Acts 13:48) (Romans 8:28-30) (Romans 9:6-13) (Ephesians 1:4-14). How did the Thessalonian believer’s, and us, become part of the chosen of God? It is through sanctification, the process by which we are “set apart” for God’s purpose, and is accomplished by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). Now how does the Holy Spirit accomplish this sanctification? It is through the Word of God, which the Holy Spirit revealed to the apostles (John 16:12-13).
Through this same revealed Word, we too are sanctified (set apart) for Him (John 16:13) (John 17:17-19). God intended for you and I to believe Him (2 Thessalonians 1:10). Wow!