2 Thessalonians 1
by Philip Layton
Paul gives thanks for the faith of his readers
Click here to read 2 Thessalonians 1
Discussion Question
- Is your love for others ‘increasing’ (v 3)?
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Going Deeper From 'Words of Life'
I recently conducted the funeral for a family friend I had known since I was a little girl. I based my message on the opening phrase of this text, thanking God for his life. Even though Paul was writing to the Thessalonians who were still very much alive, it poses the question in my mind: How do we wish to be remembered?
If you ever travel to London, you may decide to visit the famous Madame Tussauds wax museum. I remember first going there as a teenager – fascinated by what I saw. Just last year there was the addition of Prince William and Kate Middleton, dressed as they were when they announced their engagement in November 2010. William, so handsome and smartly-suited. Kate, so beautiful in that gorgeous, dark blue dress. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will always be remembered, for they’ve been immortalised – in wax.
Paul thanks God for the faithfulness of the Thessalonians. They would always be remembered, even though they suffered and had to endure persecution. Paul then said something very significant to them:
…we always pray for you…that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (v 11, 12 NRSV).
God is to be glorified in our life. What a way to be remembered! To live a life worthy of our calling in Christ. To be faithful. To do good, all because we want to glorify our Lord and Saviour.
We may not end up in Madame Tussauds. But even more than people remembering us by how we look, God will know how we have lived. May this be our goal, our aim: to live a Christlike life, and be remembered as being his humble and faithful servant.
Beverly Ivany
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