Seven Goals in Grace
—2Thessalonians 1:1-12
This lesson is taken from 2Thessalonians.chapter 1. We will join the first five verses with the last two verses and find seven great goals which we can truly achieve by the grace of God.
1 To Perfect Our Faith
2Thessalonians 1:3 —Paul says to the Thessalonian Christians, "We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, just as it's appropriate to do, because your faith grows exceedingly..."
In his previous letter, Paul had said that he wanted to perfect what was lacking in their faith (1Thessalonians 3:10). But now in his second letter he can say their faith grows exceedingly.
Our faith likewise, should be greater now than when we first believed. And, if we have been believers for a good while, our faith should by now have grown very much stronger.
2 To Grow in Love
2Thessalonians 1:2-3 —Paul adds to faith a second and equally important principle, "...and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds" (2Thessalonians 1:2). In an ideal world, love (like faith) grows ever greater.
Jesus shows the extent to which love can go when he says, "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5:43-44).
Paul writes this benediction, "May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God" (2Thessalonians 3:5).
True love includes a love of the truth. Paul says that many people were deceived "because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved" (2Thessalonians 2:10).
Paul reminds us that Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace (2Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Christ’s death for us was an act of great love. So our second goal is to deepen our love for God; for truth; and for the Lord Jesus; and to let that love abound toward others.
3 To Steadfastly Endure
2Thessalonians 1:4 —Paul next says, "We ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure" (2Thessalonians 1:4).
James agrees: "Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:4).
An Australian prime minister became famous for his saying, "Life wasn't meant to be easy". Our struggle can strengthen and improve us.
The Thessalonians were being afflicted by persecution (2Thessalonians 1:6). This may not trouble us, but most Christians have something difficult to endure. God encourages us to endure and establish our hearts in his love and "eternal comfort and good hope by grace" (2Thessalonians 2:17).
4 To Be Counted Worthy of the Kingdom
2Thessalonians 1:5,11 —We want to be "counted worthy of the kingdom of God" and this worthiness is accounted to us by "the righteous judgment of God" (2Thessalonians 1:5).
Near the end of chapter 1, Paul prays. "that our God may count you worthy of your calling..." (2Thessalonians 1:11).
God exercises grace and mercy justly. When one is "counted worthy" this is no false judgment. Rather, God is able to make us truly blameless through Christ.
Note the benediction to the first letter: ¶ "May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and he will make it happen." (1Thessalonians 5:23-24).
5 To Desire All Goodness
2Thessalonians 1:11 —Another great goal of the Christian, is "that our God may...fulfill every desire of goodness" (2Thessalonians 1:12).
When we, in our own hearts, nurture God’s desire for all goodness, and make it our own desire, God then "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28).
All sin starts as an evil desire, a lust of the flesh (James 1:13-17, Ephesians 2:3). If we desire all goodness and no evil, God will fulfill our desires and we will replace the deeds of darkness with the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:19-24).
The goal of the Christian is to "have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24). This is a metaphor referring to the cross of Christ by which we can kill any evil desire and fulfill all good desires. Can you think of anything more wonderful than that?
6 To Do the Work of Faith With Power
2Thessalonians 1:11 —Paul ends verse 11 with an amazing phrase: "the work of faith with power" (2Thessalonians 1:11). Do we want to do that? The good news is that we can!
Now it might be someone's goal to do good works such that they can merit God’s approval in their own power. That's a foolish goal. It's an idea that many have conceived and believed, but never achieved. You cannot meet God on the basis of your own righteousness. You need Jesus to be justified before God.
On the other hand, faith must be accompanied by works otherwise it is useless. A belief in Jesus that does not express itself in obedience to Jesus, is a dead faith (James 2:20-26).
So whilst works without faith cannot justify us before God, neither can faith without works. God's requirement is "the work of faith" (1Thessalonians 1:3, 2Thessalonians 1:11).
That is the same thing as "the obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5, 16:26). God joined faith and obedience together and we should not separate them.
Paul adds the words "with power". When we combine faith with works in obedience of faith, then we, by God's grace, receive power through the gift or indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).
7 To Glorify the Name of Jesus
2Thessalonians 1:12 —For some Christians the main aim is to be saved, stay saved, and escape hell. Well that isn't the main aim.
The question, "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) is an excellent question. And the exclamation, "Praise God I'm saved!" is excellent too. However, that's only the beginnning.
Your ultimate goal and great mission is "that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him" (2Thessalonians 1:12).
Just as the death of Christ was the beginning and not the end, so is our salvation through his resurrection. God exalted Christ and "bestowed on him the name which is above every name" (Philippians 2:9).
We have the marvelous privilege and duty of serving this King of kings and Lord of lords so as to give him glory and to live in his light. That is God's eternal purpose for us.