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2 Thessalonians 1:4
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4 So [hoste] that we [hemas] ourselves [autos] glory [kauchaomai] in [en] you [humin] in [en] the churches [ekklesia] of God [theos] for [huper] your [humon] patience [hupomone] and [kai] faith [pistis] in [en] all [pas] your [humon] persecutions [diogmos] and [kai] tribulations [thlipsis] that [hos] ye endure: [anechomai] KJV-Interlinear
4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. NASB
When Daniel was visited by the angel, he was told that in heaven he was highly esteemed. And so too, Paul indicates that there were those in Thessalonica who were well regarded.
As with Daniel, so too those folks in Thessalonica were well respected, not because of who they were, not respected because of their personable attributes, not respected because of their wealth or social status or talents or attainments in this world, but they were well respected because of their faith, and their ability to stay with their faith, even in the midst of the difficult times they had to live with, in their day.
When one is successful, talented, popular and so forth, it is very easy to be polite or even generous with your time and attention.
However, when your life is falling apart, when you fall on hard times, when the world has seemingly abandoned you to the dogs, then holding on to your once personable personality is difficult, let alone your faith.
In difficult times, it is very easy to blame others, become angry, become disillusioned, even blame God for your predicament. ‘Why me?’
And certainly without a daily Bible study, your spiritual resources will be lacking and your orientation to life will lead you in the wrong direction.
Only with a commitment to a daily study, can you realize that it is not God who is after you, but the world who is trying to get you away from God and His plan for your life.
Daniel had a reputation. The Thessalonians had a reputation. And their reputations had nothing to do with worldly talents or accomplishments.
They had faith in their life, and a faith that was not blind, but powered by Bible doctrine in their souls.
Faith is not a wish and a roll of the dice. True faith is developed through learning truth and is aided by the correct orientation to life with confidence.
Knowledge of God through doctrine, builds up understanding, and application of that understanding builds up confidence, and confidence builds up wisdom and certainty, and that in turn builds up faith.
The circumstances of life in this world are full of uncertainties and hopelessness because the world cannot guarantee success or happiness, or anything else. By itself, the world can offer you nothing. The Bible calls it vanity or emptiness or nothingness.
However, the spiritual life originates from God, and in God there is certainty, because God is able to do what He wills, and to fulfill all of His promises. God has endless power, endless sovereignty, endless resources, endless authority, endless ability, and more. Moses was told when he asked Gods name, ‘I Am,’ which stands for infinite resources. All of Gods attributes are infinite, and therefore the tripling of the response so indicates the cohesiveness and infinity of the Godhead.
Therefore, in doctrine there is the revealing of Gods endless abilities, which He places at your disposal, through faith.
No, God is not a genie. No, God is not going to grant your wishes. But yes, God will advance you to spiritual maturity and advanced wisdom, such that your faith will be second to none, and your spiritual perseverance will not falter when the world attempts to cause you to lose your faith by blasting you with an endless stream of problems.
The world has nothing to offer you, but God has everything to offer.
The world cannot offer you true esteem, only empty and temporary accolades.
True respect, true reputations come only from heaven, which is the only place that they will count for anything, and be permanent.
