We all understand the concept of a life debt – someone saves your life and you pledge your life to them as a form of gratitude or repayment (if you’re lacking the understanding, go watch the episode of Gilligan’s Island where Gilligan tries to give a life pledge to Skipper). In our last post, we discussed Paul having just described the Antichrist and the second coming. Many of the Thessalonians were concerned about the subject. There was a great deal of evil and deception in the world at that time; how could they not be living in the time of Tribulation? However, Paul assured them this time has not happened yet, and we have nothing to fear. He takes the time to drive home his point once again: be comforted. You are not just called to be confident because God’s going to work things out for you; rather, that confidence should spark you to action to serve the Lord. Because God has saved you, do good. There are a few ideas that God’s Word uses to communicate this truth in our passage today, and it comes down to doing good in two ways: praising and serving God. 

1. Praise God because He saved you. – 2 Thess 2:13-14,16

In this passage, Paul is overflowing with thankfulness to God for the Thessalonians; not for their greatness, but for God’s grace in their lives. He calls them “beloved of the Lord” indicating God’s love for the people in a deeply personal way. This love is not so much of a friendship, but an even more intimate relationship like that between a father and child. And this is a relationship that we have too, just like the Thessalonians. By Christ’s blood we have been adopted into the family of God and now have a truly personal relationship with Him (John 1:12). We who are beloved this way have been chosen by God to receive salvation (v.13). God chose to save us, not in a way that takes away our ability to choose, but rather it is the act of receiving the gift of salvation by acknowledging it is true (Eph 2:8). Therefore, we must join Paul in praising God. Paul felt that he was bound or compelled to praise God for His work in their lives. Even so, we ought to praise God for His work in saving you and me. Paul is clear in communicating that the Christian life does not stop at salvation, and part of doing good means praising Him for saving us. Yet, while we praise him, we can also act to serve God with our while hearts. 

2. Serve God because He strengthens you. – 2 Thess 2:15-17

Paul starts out by stating “therefore,” calling us to realize our praise to God is more than just a smile on our face and a spring in our step. God’s word assures us that the time of judgement has not come, but when it does we as believers will be protected from God’s wrath. Therefore, we are to stand firm and hold to the truth. This is different from any other works-based religion. The idea behind all other religions is if you do good enough, God will accept you. This belief is not the gospel. We do not do good to become saved, but rather because we are saved we choose to do good. We have been saved from sin and therefore must live out the righteousness that God has credited to our account through Jesus Christ. Paul says two things in this passage. The first is to stand firm, do not waiver in your faith (v.15). Root your heart and mind in the gospel and stand firm. Second, we are called to “hold the traditions” (v.15). These are not the traditions of the Pharisees or of any man; it simply a command to do what God says and hold to the teachings of His Word. We must be a people controlled by the Word of God not the word of man. Through this we serve God. 

We owe God a life debt. He has saved us, therefore we should respond by serving him. This is something that can be done in everyday ways. Tell your coworkers about Christ regardless of the cost. Say no to temptation as it presents itself in your life. Spend time with God. Even praise God for bringing you salvation. This is our motivation, what drives us and compels us to share Christ and live for Him. So now, let us praise God for His grace, let us give our lives to serve Him; and let us hold nothing back from this God that has so loved us and saved us. 

Questions for Discussion

1. Read v. 13-14. Why did Paul praise God for the Thessalonians? How can you praise God when your life is full of fear? 
2. Do you have the relationship with God that the Thessalonians have? When did you receive that relationship? 
3. Read v. 15. How does God’s work in our lives motivate and strengthen us to do what His Word says? 
4. Read v. 16-17. Do you have the comfort that Paul prays for in these verses? If not, how does this passage show you how to find God’s comfort?