“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so 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.” (2Thess 1:11-12)
I have been so challenged by this passage and Paul’s passion for the Christ-followers in Thessalonica. Despite persecutions and afflictions (2 Thess 1:2-3) this church is growing in their faith and their love for one another is increasing too. Tough times are no obstacle for kingdom growth!
And instead of hunkering down in their Christian ghetto until the storm passes, Paul prays passionately for the believers. And his prayer for empowering and fulfillment assumes a couple of things:
1. These followers of Christ have desires (resolve) for good, and
2. These followers of Christ are doing works of faith.
You see, when a people are gripped with a vision of the glory of Christ, they begin to desire the same things the Lord desires. And there is nothing the Father is as passionate about as the fame, renown, and glory of his son Jesus! Everything about Jesus and everything Jesus did (particularly his work on the cross!) is glorious. And it will be clear when he returns to be marveled at among those who believe (2 Thess 1:10)! And when a people are gripped with such a vision, they get busy until that vision becomes a reality!
So people, what are we doing for the glory of Christ? What resolve/desires do we have for his fame? What works is our faith compelling us to engage in? We will cheer for our football teams, campaign for our candidates, even die for our country. What vision are we willing to die for? What vision are we willing to live for?
So, will you pray? Will you dream? Will you scheme and plan and work and fail and try again and press on and pray and sweat and love and share and dream some more until that day?
So please, share your “resolve for good” and your ideas for “every work of faith”. And may God deliver us from the curse of passivity and into the glory of action!
The well wisher of your soul’s happiness!
Pastor Tom
I have been so challenged by this passage and Paul’s passion for the Christ-followers in Thessalonica. Despite persecutions and afflictions (2 Thess 1:2-3) this church is growing in their faith and their love for one another is increasing too. Tough times are no obstacle for kingdom growth!
And instead of hunkering down in their Christian ghetto until the storm passes, Paul prays passionately for the believers. And his prayer for empowering and fulfillment assumes a couple of things:
1. These followers of Christ have desires (resolve) for good, and
2. These followers of Christ are doing works of faith.
You see, when a people are gripped with a vision of the glory of Christ, they begin to desire the same things the Lord desires. And there is nothing the Father is as passionate about as the fame, renown, and glory of his son Jesus! Everything about Jesus and everything Jesus did (particularly his work on the cross!) is glorious. And it will be clear when he returns to be marveled at among those who believe (2 Thess 1:10)! And when a people are gripped with such a vision, they get busy until that vision becomes a reality!
So people, what are we doing for the glory of Christ? What resolve/desires do we have for his fame? What works is our faith compelling us to engage in? We will cheer for our football teams, campaign for our candidates, even die for our country. What vision are we willing to die for? What vision are we willing to live for?
So, will you pray? Will you dream? Will you scheme and plan and work and fail and try again and press on and pray and sweat and love and share and dream some more until that day?
So please, share your “resolve for good” and your ideas for “every work of faith”. And may God deliver us from the curse of passivity and into the glory of action!
The well wisher of your soul’s happiness!
Pastor Tom
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