Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
13 “As for us, we always thank GOD for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the LORD. We are thankful that GOD chose you to be among the first to experience salvation, a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and by your belief in the truth. 14 HE called you to salvation when HE told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on everything we taught you both in person and by letter.” ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
Paul constantly taught that salvation begins and ends with GOD. We can do nothing to be saved on our own merit – we must accept GOD’s gift of salvation. – “Long ago, even before HE made the world, GOD loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in HIS eyes.” Ephesians 1:4 – Paul says GOD “chose us” to emphasize that salvation depends totally on GOD. We are not saved because we deserve it but because GOD is gracious and freely gives salvation. We do not influence GOD’s decision to save us; HE saved us according to HIS plan. Therefore, there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride. The mystery of salvation originated in the timeless mind of GOD long before we existed. It is hard to understand how GOD could accept us, but because of Christ, we are holy and blameless in HIS sight. GOD chose us, and when we belong to HIM through Jesus Christ, GOD looks at us as if we had never sinned. All we can do is express our gratitude for HIS wonderful love.
There is no other way to receive forgiveness from sin. Paul encourages believers by reminding us that we were chosen by GOD from the beginning. Being made holy is the process of Christian growth through which the Holy Spirit makes us like Christ. – “For GOD knew HIS people in advance, and HE chose them to become like HIS Son, so that HIS Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters.” – Romans 8:29 – GOD’s ultimate goal for us is to make us like Christ. – “Yes, dear friends, we are already GOD’s children, and we cannot even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” – 1 John 3:2 – As we become more and more like Christ, we discover our true selves, the persons we were created to be. Ephesians 1:11 tells us that GOD “chose us from the beginning and all things happen just as HE decided long ago.” – Some people believe that GOD knew in advance who would respond to HIM, and upon those HE set HIS mark – that is – HE chose them. What is clear is that GOD’s purpose for people was not an afterthought; it was settled before the foundation of the world. As believers, we can rejoice in the fact that GOD has always known us. HIS love is eternal. HIS wisdom and power are supreme. HE will guide and protect us until we, one day, stand in HIS presence.
GOD worked through Paul and his companions to tell the Good News so that people could share in Christ’s glory. It may seem strange that GOD works through us – fallible, unfaithful, untrustworthy human creatures. But, HE has given us the awesome privilege of accomplishing HIS great mission – telling the world how to find salvation. Paul knew that believers would face pressure from persecution, false teachers, worldliness, and apathy to waver from the truth and to leave the faith. So he urges us to “stand firm” and hold on to the truth of GOD’s Word. We should hold on to Christ’s teachings because our very lives depend on it, and we should never forget the reality of Christ’s life and love!
16 “May our Lord Jesus Christ and GOD our Father, who loved us and in HIS special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Salvation begins and ends with YOU, LORD. We can do nothing to be saved on our own merit – we must accept YOUR gift of salvation. We know from YOUR Word, that long ago even before YOU made the world, YOU loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in YOUR eyes. We are not saved because we deserve it but because YOU, Father GOD are gracious and freely give salvation. We do not influence YOUR decision to save us, YOU saved us according to YOUR plan. Father GOD, we are truly grateful.
Father, we acknowledge that YOU created us to be like Christ, and as we become more and more like Christ, we discover our true selves, the very people YOU created us to be. It is clear, LORD, that YOUR purpose for us was not an afterthought – it was settled before the foundation of the world. As believers, we can rejoice in the fact that YOU have always known us. YOUR love is eternal. YOUR wisdom and power are supreme, and YOU will guide and protect us until we, one day, stand in YOUR presence.
YOU have given us the awesome privilege of accomplishing YOUR great mission, which is to tell the world how to find salvation. Give us strength, LORD, to stand firm and to hold on to the truth of YOUR Word. May our Lord Jesus Christ and YOU, our GOD and Father, who loved us and in YOUR special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, have comfort in our hearts and strength in every good thing we say and do.
