Who Will Be Saved?

Who Will Be Saved?

Good Morning Friends,

Today we come to the end of our chapter by chapter devotionals on the two letters to the Thessalonians. We have had a look inward and a look outward as we joined with Paul in realistically evaluating the status of the faith. And here is the deal. The faith is not for everyone. Oh, it should be but free will is a tremendous responsibility that opens some hearts and shuts others. I say this as Paul did not cynically but sorrowfully. Friends, we as Christians need to work at rescuing ourselves but also realize that we have not been very good at carrying on the faith entrusted to us. We need to look in the mirror and ask, Who Will Be Saved?

Scripture: Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 (NRSV)

“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16 (NRSV)

Message: There are lots of bad role models in this world. But Jesus called us to be role models of His way of life for others including those who are not Christians. We are to become the kind of role models God wants me to be and to make a difference in the lives of others so that they might be saved. And so, we need to pray for the unsaved as well as the saved. You see, it is very difficult to dislike a person one prays for. And we really should be praying for the salvation of even our enemies as well as avoiding making enemies by not emotionally blackmail those that need a little discipline. And that is why we need much grace. And as we work and hopefully find joy in this work, we need to know that people may be watching to see how we let our little light shine. And what is clear is that it is easier to gossip than to give and minister to the need of those who are hurting, lonely, desperate, or lost. But if we are going to make a difference in the world, no matter how small we need words of encouragement instead of words and actions that tear down people and organizations. We can all make a difference in people’s lives if we are givers instead of takers. So, friends, spend less time worrying about who is right and more time deciding what is right. Refrain from criticizing anybody for anything. Do not use your time or your words carelessly. We can all make a difference in our lives and the lives of others if we never tire of doing what is good. We are to be givers instead of takers. We are to be role models who just love Jesus. And when we look in the mirror or when others look to us they are to think, that is what Jesus looks like on a regular everyday person. We are not just to set examples but be examples. We need each other on the journey. We need to be vulnerable in a way that allows us to feed off others love and devotion to Christ. Friends, God saved us so that we could be examples for the rest of the world. We are to be a light to the world not hidden but raised up, so everyone might see better. Whether you want to be or not you are a role model in how you live your life for Christ. But also know this, you will fail for all fall short of the Glory of God. We all make mistakes as role models. But God does not call us to be a paragon of virtue. This side of heaven we will never be totally unflawed and seamless in our faith. This is unattainable. But what is attainable is to be a people who begin of the very moment that God lit that light in us, that we are gradually shining more light into the world showing others what it is like to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus…glory unto glory…step by step.

Pray we are authentic Christians. Pray we see the importance of connections with others as we endure the journey. Pray we engage in mutual prayer one for another. Pray we are ready for Christ’s return. Pray we are too busy with the work we have been given to worry about the Second Coming. Pray the presence of the most powerful being in the universe is in our work and lives. Pray we work conscientiously. Pray we not gossip but instead speak the truth with love.
Pray
we belong to Jesus. Pray we believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God. Pray we repent of our sins. Pray we confess that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Pray we bury our old self and rise as a new creature in Christ. Pray we engage with others in the work of Christ in the world. Pray we recognize what God is doing in the world and find a way to shine a light into the darkness. Pray others watching us act in faith see something worth imitating in their lives.

Blessings,

John Lawson