"On every page of the God-breathed writings are many thoughts that stretch out like long, clear arms of light across the darkness, discovering things otherwise hidden and illuminating wider areas than those of the immediate context. They are searchlights. I have selected one in each chapter of Scripture, for at least one central thought in every chapter should arrest the mind and affect the life," wrote G. Campbell Morgan, a skilled, wise, warm-hearted Bible teacher who conducted a classic 3-year study called Life Applications from Every Chapter of the Bible. Here is the fruit of that research—summarized, illustrated, and amplified with useful details—on all 66 books of the Bible.
2 Thessalonians 1:10 "He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, to be marveled at among all who have believed." Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians came shortly after the first one because of problems that arose. First, they were concerned that the Lord had already returned. Paul urged them not to become “shaken in mind or alarmed,” fearing that “the Day of the Lord” (2:2) had already come. Second, he admonished them not to be idle, which apparently became a serious issue since he commanded, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat!” (3:10). But to begin with in this first chapter, we learn Paul had been boasting of the Thessalonian congregation to other churches because of their faith in Christ and their love for each other in the face of persecution. Paul reminded them that God would repay their persecutors with the ultimate "punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might." At the same time, Christ at His return will "be marveled at among all who have believed"—by the Thessalonians from long ago, us now, and all who believe up to our Lord's appearing. At that sublime moment, we will be "fashioned anew and conformed to the body of His glory," to quote one of several Christian creeds on the Resurrection, but our focus will be on Him rather than each other. While all this is a radiant description of the goal toward which we travel, should we not also live now that He may be glorified in us daily, and marveled at as the One to whom we owe everything?
2 Thessalonians 2:7 "The mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way." Paul now addresses the situation of panicky idleness at Thessalonica. It arose because of ridiculous false teaching that the Lord somehow had already returned, but they had missed out. When Christ returns, "every eye will see Him," as the Book of Revelation tells us. Paul states plainly in verse 3 that the Day of the Lord "will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” He could have said next, "It hasn’t happened. Go back to work." But instead, Paul goes into amazing detail. During this age in which we live, "lawlessness is already at work," but it is also true that there is One who restrains that evil work, holding it in check until its final development. Paul apparently meant for us to remember our Lord's description of the Holy Spirit's ministry: convicting the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. In God's perfect timing, the Spirit's restraining influence will be removed so that evil will work out its final expression to be finally destroyed at the return of Christ. Those who perish will be those who "refused to love the truth and so be saved" (verse 10) and "did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (verse 12). How much more ought we to love the truth now?
2 Thessalonians 3:5 "The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ." Paul wraps up this letter beautifully and practically: "Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful: He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord ... that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ." Unless we are careful, our eager anticipation for our absent Lord may degenerate into impatience. Think about Christ's life on earth, especially how patient He was with others. He bore with them then, and He bears with us now! One of our greatest needs in life is patience like His. It comes from the love of God, as Paul states above. Christ worked and waited, secure in His knowledge of His Father's love for Him, and in His love for the Father. That is still the secret of patience. The measure in which we are sure of the love of God is the measure in which, despite the afflictions of this life, we wait patiently for our Lord to return, trusting in God's perfect timing. Notice Paul said it is the Lord who directs our hearts into this love and patience. This is His work. Let us not hinder Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment