◄ What Does 2 Thessalonians 1:12 Mean? ►

Like so many of Paul's epistles, this second letter to the Thessalonians opens with a prayer of thanksgiving and praise for the faith, hope, love, and patience of these believers, amid the serious trials and tribulation they were facing.

Paul wanted these saints to be counted worthy of their calling so that Christ would be glorified in them, and they in Him. He knew that patiently enduring the various trials they were facing would test and develop their faith, producing patient, uncomplaining endurance, and Christian maturity, for the honour of His name.

Paul knew how important it was to stand fast in the midst of persecution and pain. He wanted to reassure these believers that the Lord had not forgotten them, and would certainly punish their persecutors. Indeed, God will punish all who, through ignorance or unbelief, have not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God and have refused to obey the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul wanted to remind these saints in Thessalonica that God is both righteous and His promises never fail. Just as God will apportion punishment to the unrighteous, so He will provide peace, rest, refreshment and renewal for all those who have suffered for His name's sake.

Not only will He support those who trust in Him in the midst of their dangers and distresses and strengthen them with His almighty power, but He has promised that all who suffer persecution for Christ, will reap the joy of ruling and reigning with Him in His future kingdom, when the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord.

God has promised to finish the good work He has started in the life of all who are saved by grace through faith in Christ. When beset by dangers and doubts, persecution and pain, we are not to pull back or retreat from the fight. We are to press on with patient endurance so that the name of Christ may be glorified in us, and we in Him.

We are to work the good works that God has prepared for us to do. We are to run the race that is set before us, and we are to keep on looking to Jesus. We are to live in spirit and truth, abide in Christ, grow in grace, and trust Him amid every difficult circumstance of life so that the name of the Lord Jesus is glorified through us, and we remain rooted and grounded in Him.

Just as God gave the Thessalonian Christians the grace to stand firm in the day of trouble for the honour of His name, so He has given His sufficient grace and strength to each member of the Church to become a living example of godly behaviour and Christlike character: "So that the name Christ may be glorified in you and ye in Him, according to the goodness and grace of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ."

Heavenly Father, I pray that in all I say and do, that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in me and I in Him. Thank You that You have given me everything I need for life and godliness. I pray that I may not shrink back when difficulties and dangers arise, but trust You in all things, and I pray that I will live a life that is worthy of my calling as a child of God and a citizen of heaven. This I ask in Jesus' name so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in me and I in Him, AMEN.