Live Justly in the Reign of God
Treat Everyone Equally
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12
The Message
Justice Is on the Way
3-4 You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have
to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other
is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks.
We’re so proud of you; you’re so steady and determined in your faith
despite all the hard times that have come down on you. We tell everyone
we meet in the churches all about you.
5-10 All
this trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for
the kingdom. You’re suffering now, but justice is on the way. When the
Master Jesus appears out of heaven in a blaze of fire with his strong
angels, he’ll even up the score by settling accounts with those who gave
you such a bad time. His coming will be the break we’ve been waiting
for. Those who refuse to know God and refuse to obey the Message will
pay for what they’ve done. Eternal exile from the presence of the Master
and his splendid power is their sentence. But on that very same day
when he comes, he will be exalted by his followers and celebrated by all
who believe—and all because you believed what we told you.11-12 Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.
For Reflection
How often have you thanked God
for being you? I'm not sure I ever have. God made me who I am. God
threw me into my life so that I could exercise my potential as a God
worker. As a steward in God's kingdom, I am commissioned, empowered and charged with working for justice and an the triumph of love and compassion; charged to inspire hope. And so are you!
Pray
"that
our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that
he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that
it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he
will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving
himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely."
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