More Encouragement

 Meditations on 2 Thessalonians

June 30, 2021

More Encouragement

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call.

2 Thessalonians 1:11

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1: 7b-12

In the first half of today’s reading, Paul affirms that when Jesus returns, in glory and with mighty angels, he will bring judgement on the earth. Those who have made the choice to obey the Gospel will live eternally with the glorious Lord Jesus. Those who refused to obey Jesus will be eternally separated “from the Lord and from his glorious power.” (v.9)

How do we prepare to receive our glorious King? Recently, I led the pastoral prayer in my church, and I incorporated Paul’s encouragement in today’s passage into my prayer:

We ask you to enable us to live a life worthy of your call. Please empower us to accomplish all the good things our faith prompts us to do. Gracious Lord, it is the desire of our hearts that the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way we live, and we trust you are at work in our lives to bring this desire into a reality.

My Takeaway: Paul closed with a reminder that such prayers are not pie in the sky:

“This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” (v.12)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Encouragement during Persecution

 Meditations on 2 Thessalonians

June 29, 2021

Encouragement during Persecution

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.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-7a

This is one of the shortest of Paul’s letters. But if 2 Thessalonians was all you had, you would have all you need. The theological summary here is more than sufficient to ground an individual and a church in Christian principles for life.

Paul reminds the church that Christ is coming again. (As he did in every chapter of 1 Thessalonians.) In the words of the Nicene Creed, “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.” Paul assures the church that those who are in a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus will have no fear on that glorious day.

Paul also reminds the church that God knows of their persecution, and he knows of those who refuse to obey His truth. On the glorious day of Christ’s return, God’s justice will prevail and the faithful will be vindicated. For those who chose to go their own way and not be reconciled with God, they will get their wish for all eternity as they will be forever separated from Christ and His mighty power.

Paul reminds the church that to be in Christ is to live as a part of the Welcoming Committee for Jesus. We will get to greet Him on His glorious return and lead His procession. To be a part of the Welcoming Committee is to be working now to make ready our world and prepare for the arrival of our King. How do you do that? I have two answers to that question and they are both in the verse quoted above.

First, flourishing faith includes growth in knowledge and also the maturing of virtues such as integrity, temperance, courage, justice and mercy. Secondly, love for one another is hugely important to Jesus – see John 13:35 and Revelation 2:4.

My Takeaway: The church in Thessalonica was being persecuted because they stood with God over and against the prevailing culture of their times. Is my church? Do I cherish this promise?

“And God will use this persecution to show his justice

and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering.” (v.5)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved

Paul’s Final Greetings

 Meditations on 1 Thessalonians

June 28, 2021

Paul’s Final Greetings

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5: 23-28

Maybe on first reading, Paul’s closing words seem perfunctory, just a way to sign off on his letter. However, I see every bit as much substance in this closing as is in the entire letter.

First, the opening two verses are sufficient to give me pause to ponder the direction of my life. Do I truly have an anticipation that God is making me holy in every way? Am I truly aware that God who called me is so faithful to me that He is working to make my entire life blameless as I look forward to the return of Christ in Final Victory?

Other points to ponder:

·         Am I as quick to ask for prayer as was Paul? (v.25)

·         Do I experience a sense of intimacy in my relationships within the Body of Christ? (v.26)

·         Am I continually aware that the authority to discharge the responsibilities of my calling come from Christ Jesus? (v.27)

My Takeaway: And may I always be like Paul and conclude my time with believers with an appropriate benediction:

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (v. 28)          

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Paul’s Final Advice

 Meditations on 1 Thessalonians

June 25, 2021

Paul’s Final Advice

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Two things stand out to me in this passage. First, verses 16-22 are like a teacher’s aide in helping students learn the Christian way of life. (Like i before e except after c.) This is an affirmation of the very high standards of moral and ethical behavior in the Christian life. Remember from June 21, “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” (1Peter 1: 15-16)

In verse 10, Paul affirmed the basic Christian Creed: Christ died for us and rose again. Because of this, in verse 18, Paul can encourage us to be thankful in all circumstances. Sometimes Christians try to muster up faith that God will change their circumstance, and, thus, they can thankful in that hope. But Paul is teaching that regardless of whether the circumstances change, we can be thankful because Jesus, who died for us and rose again, has promised that He is always with us and that nothing can separate us from His love.

My Takeaway: Using this creed may be a good way to begin each day:

Jesus died for me and rose again.

Let this affirmation be ringing in our ears, and heart, as we venture out into the world today, and every day.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Children of The Light

Meditations on 1 Thessalonians

June 24, 2021

Children of The Light

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:10

1 Thessalonians     5          1-11

Paul, in verse 8, ends the letter where he began by affirming faith, hope and love. To make his point, he uses the metaphor of the armor of God which he will expand ten years later in chapter 6 of his letter to the Ephesians. The NLT uses the word ‘confidence’ of our salvation where other translations use the word ‘hope’ of our salvation. Do you see the connection? The morning I wrote this meditation, I woke up hoping Florida State University would win the Women’s College World Series that afternoon. But since they lost their game the previous night, my hope wasn’t a feeling of assurance. (They didn’t win the series, but had a great season! I’m proud to be a Seminole!)

However, Christian hope is having assurance, having confidence in the outcome; that is why those two words, hope and confidence, can be used interchangeably. The confident hope we have in Christ makes it possible for us to live as children of the light and of the day. (v.5) Because we are children of the light, we are protected by the armor of faith and love, and we wear as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. (v. 8)

My Takeaway: Today’s passage is a calling again to live holy lives with a patient trust in God. We do this by fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

The Hope of the Resurrection

 Meditations on 1 Thessalonians

June 23, 2021

The Hope of the Resurrection

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Imagine you are having coffee with friends after church. A visitor, who has been blind since birth, is brought by a friend to your table just as you are describing the magnificent sunset you saw last evening? In your mind’s eye you still vividly see the awesome display of color that was painted across the sky. How do you describe that scene to the visitor? Of the five senses, sight is the only one the visitor is missing. How do you describe color using only sound, smell, touch or taste? Now you have a measure of the difficulty Paul faced when he needed to explain the second coming of Christ to the Thessalonians (and us.)

Paul relied on metaphors that were inspired from Old Testament events such as Moses descending from the mountain. It is so very important that we do not get lost in the details of the metaphors and try to translate Paul’s imagery into a literal expectation of what it will be like when Jesus comes again. Stand back a bit and try to take in the big picture. When I do, here is what I see in Paul’s description.

This is not about where the dead go when they die or what state the dead are in. It is an affirmation that the dead are in God’s care and when Jesus appears again, they will too.

All God’s children are equal in His sight. When Jesus comes again, we are still equal. Those who have died do not have an advantage over those who are still alive, or vice versa.

Our future resurrection does not mean 'spiritual' life in some faraway place called heaven. It means God’s people will have new and glorified bodies to live with and for God in the new redeemed world God will create.

There is grief when those we love die. But as Paul noted in the opening verse in today’s passage, we do not grieve like people who have no hope.  

My Takeaway:  Christian hope remembers Psalm 30:11,

You have turned my mourning

into joyful dancing.

You have taken away my clothes of mourning

and clothed me with joy

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Patience

 Meditations on 1 Thessalonians

June 22, 2021

Patience

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

In this passage, Paul urged the church to practice a generous lifestyle, sharing abundantly with those in need, while maintaining a quiet life. These were the hallmarks of the first century Christian communities. When challenged about their ideas, Christians pointed to their actions. They believed that their lifestyle, their embodied behavior, was eloquent. Their behavior said what they believed; it was an enactment of their message. The ancient theologian Origen called this lifestyle God’s “invisible power.” “Beloved brethren,” he wrote, “[we] are philosophers not in words, but in deeds; we exhibit our wisdom not by our dress, but by truth; we know virtues by their practice rather than through boasting of them; we do not speak great things, but we live them.”

Many churches today urge their members to tithe, or give ten percent of their income to the church. While there is some basis for this in the Bible, the first century church practiced extravagant hospitality in their lifestyle and in their giving.

My Takeaway: Another hallmark of our heritage from the first Christians is their patience. They believed that patience brings to Christians the life of the Beatitudes and the life of love that Paul celebrates in 1 Corinthians 13. They celebrated a patience which was rooted in God’s character: God is patient, is working inexorably across the centuries to accomplish his mission, and in the fullness of time has disclosed himself in Jesus Christ. I would do well to embody this Godly patience in my life. How about you?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Live to Please God

 Meditations on 1 Thessalonians

June 21, 2021

Live to Please God

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you.

1 Thessalonians 4:1a

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Paul gives very practical advice to the young Thessalonian church, and he covers the basics of life that still apply today: sex, money and death. We will look at these over three days. As we do, we will see that Paul depends of three things to make his points: the commands of God, the presence of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not a coincidence Paul’s counsel takes a trinitarian shape.

I’ve read that Saint Francis referred to his body as, ‘brother donkey.’ I think that is an appropriate nickname we all can appropriate in our life. Our mission is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in transforming our wayward flesh into obedience to God’s commands. God has a better way for us to live together in community, and Paul is urging us to reach for this high standard.

My Takeaway: The word holy, or holiness, is used three times in this brief passage. (V. 3,4,7) God is Holy, and we his followers are called to be holy. This theme is mentioned seven times in the OT, and twice by Peter: 1 Peter 1:15,16. This should cause us to pause and consider how we are applying this standard to our lives.  

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.