2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
Two people groups make up the human race: Believers and Unbelievers. Believers are those who believe God exists and is a Rewarder of those who seek him; God’s greatest reward is the Good News of Jesus Messiah—the Savior. Believers are covered by the blood of Jesus, receive pardon for sin, and are given the impartation of the Spirit who helps them live in right standing with God. Unbelievers are those who do not know God and deliberately reject the Good News of Jesus who brings forgiveness of sin. Therefore, Scriptures teaches unbelievers will face the judgment of God for their own sin.
In our lesson today, the Apostle Paul writes to the early church in Thessalonica in order to encourage believers to persevere through every hardship. He reminds them to remain faithful, because God is going to one day bring justice. If we are going to live worthy of Christ’s call on our lives, we will have to persevere in faith and trust God to bring good out of even the most challenging places.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 Encouragement during Persecution
3 Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. 5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.
7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.
9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing me strength when I need it most; I want to persevere for the Kingdom. May you be honored by how I live my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.