The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Thessalonians 1:3,
"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing."
A thanksgiving of gratitude goes to the one who has brought about, and is responsible for that which we appreciate. In this passage, Paul thanks God for the growth in faith and the increase in love he sees in these Thessalonian believers. I note he gives his thanks to God and not to these believers, even as he acknowledges the wonderful progress they have made. In verse 4, Paul's boasting in the perseverance and faith of these wonderful believers is his boasting in what God is accomplishing in their lives. God is the recipient of Paul's thanksgiving in what he sees, because God is the one Paul acknowledges as having brought it about.
In one of the more foolish exclamations made by a former political leader, "You didn't build that!", as a reference to the need for more socialism in the political and economic arena, it brought a lot of criticism. However, when it comes to what takes place in our lives as believers, the statement is absolute truth. Where we might find ourselves even slightly tempted to engage in a "wee bit" of satisfaction for spiritual growth in our lives, Paul points boldly to the one who really is responsible for it: God.
I note a few verses later that Paul prays to God that he would make these believers in Thessalonica "worthy of his calling", that he would "bring to fruition" their "every desire for goodness" and their "every deed prompted by faith." Verse 11. Why pray to God for these things if the Thessalonians are bringing it about? Paul recognizes the wonderful transformation in their lives as that which God brings about.
With this in mind, he prays for these things for these believers 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." Verse 12. For Paul, God is the one who is on display as wonderful things take place in the lives of believers. I'm not suggesting Paul did not feel an appreciation for the Thessalonians willing participation and involvement in their spiritual transformation, but clearly Paul points to our wonderful God as he observes his work in their lives.
I am reminded of Paul's comment in 1 Corinthians 4:7, "What do you have that you did not receive?" When it comes to acknowledging the wonderful qualities we observe in those around us, or even with ourselves, it is God we need to recognize. He did that!
As I read of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, I see that things like love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control are all things God works in our lives. While these things can be manifested in our lives, it is his fruit not ours. Yes, we need to make ourselves available to God and to participate in what it is he is doing. But, after all, it is what he is doing and he is the one who deserves the recognition. When others take note of these qualities God has built into our lives, we want to point to him as the one from whom all good things flow.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing."
A thanksgiving of gratitude goes to the one who has brought about, and is responsible for that which we appreciate. In this passage, Paul thanks God for the growth in faith and the increase in love he sees in these Thessalonian believers. I note he gives his thanks to God and not to these believers, even as he acknowledges the wonderful progress they have made. In verse 4, Paul's boasting in the perseverance and faith of these wonderful believers is his boasting in what God is accomplishing in their lives. God is the recipient of Paul's thanksgiving in what he sees, because God is the one Paul acknowledges as having brought it about.
In one of the more foolish exclamations made by a former political leader, "You didn't build that!", as a reference to the need for more socialism in the political and economic arena, it brought a lot of criticism. However, when it comes to what takes place in our lives as believers, the statement is absolute truth. Where we might find ourselves even slightly tempted to engage in a "wee bit" of satisfaction for spiritual growth in our lives, Paul points boldly to the one who really is responsible for it: God.
I note a few verses later that Paul prays to God that he would make these believers in Thessalonica "worthy of his calling", that he would "bring to fruition" their "every desire for goodness" and their "every deed prompted by faith." Verse 11. Why pray to God for these things if the Thessalonians are bringing it about? Paul recognizes the wonderful transformation in their lives as that which God brings about.
With this in mind, he prays for these things for these believers 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." Verse 12. For Paul, God is the one who is on display as wonderful things take place in the lives of believers. I'm not suggesting Paul did not feel an appreciation for the Thessalonians willing participation and involvement in their spiritual transformation, but clearly Paul points to our wonderful God as he observes his work in their lives.
I am reminded of Paul's comment in 1 Corinthians 4:7, "What do you have that you did not receive?" When it comes to acknowledging the wonderful qualities we observe in those around us, or even with ourselves, it is God we need to recognize. He did that!
As I read of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, I see that things like love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control are all things God works in our lives. While these things can be manifested in our lives, it is his fruit not ours. Yes, we need to make ourselves available to God and to participate in what it is he is doing. But, after all, it is what he is doing and he is the one who deserves the recognition. When others take note of these qualities God has built into our lives, we want to point to him as the one from whom all good things flow.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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