A righteous judgment

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.

Primary Text

“Dear brothers, giving thanks to God for you is not only the right thing to do, but it is our duty to God because of the really wonderful way your faith has grown and because of your growing love for each other. We are happy to tell other churches about your patience and complete faith in God, in spite of all the crushing troubles and hardships you are going through. This is only one example of the fair, just way God does things, for He is using your sufferings to make you ready for His Kingdom, while at the same time He is preparing judgment and punishment for those who are hurting you.” 2 Thessalonians 1v3-6 (TLB)

Wow. The verses above give us some insight into God’s righteous judgment. As believers go through trials and tribulations, on the one hand we are being prepared for the kingdom of God, our faith is tested, and by God’s grace will get strengthened. But on the other hand, because God is righteous, He will recompense those who are troubling His own. On the one hand this encourages believers to stay strong, God will fight for you and eventually avenge you when our Lord Jesus comes back (2 Thessalonians 1v7). I also see another dimension in this. When a believer is being persecuted and tried for the sake of the Lord, as we see with Stephen (Acts 7), those persecuting are taking a stand… and that means they should know what they are taking a stand against. Scripture makes it clear as well that God does not want anyone to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3v9). The apostle Paul at a point was part of those who persecuted the church. In a sense, those who trouble believers are being faced with the truth, and I pray that they would turn towards this truth in Jesus name, amen. But if you are being faced with persecutions, stay strong. God sees and knows. 

Supplementary Text

“This is positive proof of the just and right judgment of God to the end that you may be deemed deserving of His kingdom [a plain token of His fair verdict which designs that you should be made and counted worthy of the kingdom of God], for the sake of which you are suffering. [It is a fair decision] since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with distress and affliction those who distress and afflict you,” 2 Thessalonians 1v5-6 (AMP)

Prayer

Father we thank You for You are righteous. We pray that the light of Your Word will flood the earth and turn sinners and the wicked to You, that You would draw men and women to Yourself and send labourers to them in Jesus name, amen.