August 21, 2017: Day 2 – Thessalonians 2

This entire chapter seems to be an encouragement to this young community to keep doing what they are doing.  In Erica’s comment on yesterday’s Scripture, I wish there were a like button to be able to agree with what she said.  Wouldn’t it be great if our church were known as the heart of the borough, county, state, even nation in that what we do is seen as a magnet to bring people to a saving knowledge of Christ?  We can’t wait to see what God is going to do.  Here in chapter 2 Paul continues to point out positives within the community in Thessalonica that the congregation was doing.  

It is interesting, though, that Paul also feels the need to defend himself and to lay out his authority and his work as if he is reminding the Thessalonian community of his pedigree and his background.  He speaks of how they worked day and night so that they would not be a burden (read financial burden) to the community as they made their living.  He commends the community for the fact that they interpreted Paul’s words as words which came directly from God.  He commends the community for having taken on suffering in such a way that it was not a hindrance to the propagation of the Word of God.  

The entire chapter is an atta boy and atta girl as he underlines the fact that their faith is strong and that they basically just need to keep what they are doing and trust Paul and his leadership as they move forward into the future.  I love, love, love the last verse of this chapter.  Listen to it and take it to heart: “Yes, you are our glory and joy!”  Brothers and sisters, all you who are reading this hear and believe the good news of the Gospel: Yes, you are our glory and joy!  What an incredible witness and what an incredible legacy that can be ours.  Strive to live your life in such a way that people will call you their glory and joy.