November 9, 2024 -- II Thessalonians 2:13-17 -- Drawn to Jesus, like iron to a magnet

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
II Thessalonians 2:13-17 ESV
 
Secrets. Think about all the secrets you had to keep while you were welded to sin and chained to life-controlling behaviors. You’d lie about how you spent money. You’d lie about how you spent your time. You’d lie about liking people to manipulate them into giving you what you wanted. You’d lie to yourself. All the while your own selfish desires, directed by the Devil and the world were crushing the life out of you. How do you break this pattern?
 
Paul, Sylvanus and Timothy were together as Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonians. First, when you submit your life to the care of God, you find yourself in true, deep, honest community. That is modeled by the fact these three men were together. It is exemplified in the fact that they know the Thessalonians so well they can write directly, addressing their strengths and failures. They write to strengthen what is good and to expose what is yet sinful.
 
The lies that once ruled you must be exposed. What is exposed can be deposed. Christian friends, who themselves know the power of old sins and wayward lusts, will not let you fall back into old patterns and habits. They know the power of sin…thanks be to God, they know the greatest power Who is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
 
Second, believers are “firstfruit”. The Thessalonians were among the first believers. Their example inspired others to believe. As you note in the blessing at the end of today’s passage, the grace of God established them in every good work and word. When you believe, your life becomes a powerful influence for good in the life of others.
 
The late theologian John Gerstner noted that being a Christian is like being a magnet for Jesus. Those who God the Father appointed for eternal life in Jesus Christ are like iron. When you, who know Jesus, pass by those who do not yet believe, you’ll see that by Spirit’s power in you, you pull them to Jesus, just like a magnet pulls up iron. God has appointed such persons for life, and God has appointed you to be the means through which He saves them. It is privilege and joy for all involved and brings glory to God. Be prepared for the fact there will be people in your life as well who are not pulled up from worldliness toward Jesus. They are hardened against God and refuse the Gospel.
 
Finally, look for opportunities to serve God. In your addictions and guided by the stranglehold of former sins, you looked for opportunities to indulge yourself. Now, as a new creation in Jesus Christ, look for opportunities to express your new life in Christ by blessing, helping and serving the people He has placed in your life. Interestingly, the more you serve, the more God uses you to build up the body of Christ. The more you serve, the more you’ll be confirmed as His beloved daughter or son. What a glorious, magnificent God we serve. Blessed be His Name, now and forevermore.
 
Father in heaven, it is hard to really see myself as I am, a person attracted as iron to a magnet, drawn to Jesus. I confess even as I am drawn to Him, I still look behind me to old paths and wicked ways. By Your Spirit working in me, open my eyes to see the ways in which I can bless the people You have placed in my life, thereby drawing them to Jesus and simultaneously confirming the good work of salvation which You are bringing into full effect in every area of my life. Father in heaven, send Your Spirit in ever greater measure to increase my love for Jesus, so that I see Him as the Rock of my salvation and the anchor of my soul. Thank You, gracious God, for the people You’ve placed in my life who have by their actions and care towards me, made Jesus real to me Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/a91_3VYRiZo?si=QLtV9aSULaLWXPtV “Fill Thou My Life”
 

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