Balancing The Books

A Study of the Book of 2 Thessalonians

“Balancing the Books!”

2 Thess. 1:5-12

Does it pay to serve God or not? In our text is a group of young believers that are suffering persecution. We know from secular historians of the time (Pliny the Elder) that it was in Thessalonica that the first Gentiles were killed by the Roman Empire, because the local governor decreed that every Christian had to bow before a statue of Augustus Caesar. The first crucifixions, the first burnings, and the first great persecutions of Christians began then. These Thessalonians were right in the middle of the persecutions. (xxx p. 89)

In the first letter to the church at Thessalonica Paul had assured these believers that the persecution that they were suffering was not due to God’s judgement but instead were the consequence of their allegiance to the word of God. Paul also told them of a coming Day of the Lord in which judgement would fall on the unbelieving world. But that coming Day of Judgement would bring an end to their persecution. At least some in the congregation were persuaded that the Day of the Lord had already arrived, why then were the believers not vindicated and the wicked would be punished. Why then were they being persecuted even more than before. Where then was God’s justice and judgement? Why does God delay His judgment? Why doesn’t He vindicate His people now? Is He unable to, or does He not care? Some had seized on the ‘delay’ in the appearance of God’s judgment as an excuse to ignore or reject the idea of God’s judgment. Peter wrote that some were “saying and Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were form the beginning of Creation.” (2 Pet. 3:4)

The writer of Ecclesiastes grappled with the same problem why is it that the righteous die you-ng and poor while the wicked die old and wealthy (Eccles. 7:15). But the writer of Ecclesiastes goes on to note there is more to reality and life than can be learned or observed from the human level. The time is coming when “God will bring every deed to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Eccles. 12:14)

Paul begins with words of encouragement intended to spiritually bolster these suffering saints and enable them to continue stand firm as they served as examples of godly perseverance.

First, The Promise of Rewards. (1:5)

“which is manifest of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.”

When suffering comes into our lives there is difficulty in determining whether those experiences should be interpreted as attacks on God’s people by those hostile to God or as punishment suffered because of sin. But as Paul examined the Thessalonians he saw that they were not only persevering and trusting in the midst of persecution but were actually growing and increasing as a sign of God’s blessing and not His judgement.

But don’t be confused. This verse does not suggest that their suffering earned them the right to go to Heaven because we know that they were saved through faith in Christ (1 Thess. 1, Eph 2:8-10) “Counted worthy” here does not mean “made worthy” but simply that they will be recognized as being worthy.

But there is purpose in that adversity and suffering. Trials deepen a believer just as a period without rain causes roots to look for water deeper in the earth. If you ask any believer when in their spiritual lives they grew the most, many will respond that they grew the most during periods of difficulty when they discovered the faithfulness of God. Trials deepen our faith is several ways.

1. They make us cling to the Lord in a new way and with greater intensity.

2. Times of trial make us long for Heaven in a way nothing else can. When our loved ones die, when we are tired and worn down by life, when trusted friends prove they are not truly friends, it causes us to say, “Even so come Lord Jesus!”

3. It is the hard times that enables to really appreciate the blessings of this life.

4. Trials prove who the real believers are. You have to ask yourself if being a Christian were outlawed and meeting together was to risk being arrested, how many people who currently fill the church today would still be there?

But the rewards that are spoken of are not meted out during this life. Warren Wiersbe tells a story of two farmers. “There were two farmers, one was a believer and the other was an atheist. When harvest season came, the atheist taunted is believing neighbor because apparently God had not blessed him too much. The atheist’s family had not been sick, his field were rich with harvest and he was sure to make a lot of money. The Atheist said, “I thought you said it paid to believe in God and be a Christian.” The Christian replied, “It does pay but God doesn’t always pay His people in September.” [Warren Wiersbe. “Be Ready” (Wheaton, ILL: S &P Pub., 1979) p. 129]