Joy when Christ Returns & in Serving | English Devotion | NHFCSG

Joy  when Christ Returns & in Serving 

2 Thess 1:6-12

Jesus will be revealed when he returns. 

If Christ judges the wicked when He returns, who will populate the millennium and who would be left to rebel at the end of that time?

The coming of the Lord 

Christ will be “revealed.” He is presently hidden from view in heaven, although not absent, in that He dwells in His people. But when He comes again on the clouds of glory, every eye will see Him (Matt. 26:64. Rev. 1:7). His coming will be bodily (Acts 1:11), visible, and glorious. 

He will be accompanied by His mighty angels in flaming fire, a symbol of judgment. 

Eternal punishment to unbelievers.

Paul says (2 Thess. 1:6), For it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you. He adds (2 Thess. 1:8-9) that this will involve “dealing out revenge to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 

They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.

It is believed that, this punishment at this time may only apply to those who have heard and rejected the gospel. They will not have another opportunity to believe. 

 

1.No one can hide any deed, word, or thought from the penetrating gaze of the omniscient God (Heb. 4:13). So there will be no escape and no mercy for unbelievers on that day—only justice. 

2.God “will render to each person according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6). None will be able to argue his case against the Lord. 

3.Every mouth will be stopped (Rom. 3:19). Each person will get exactly as he or she deserves.

Then Paul turns to suggest 3 guidelines how to serve. 

Serve the Lord prayerfully.

Every Christian is to be serving the Lord in some way. If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, He has gifted you for some ministry.

 Just as every member of your physical body has a purpose, as a member of Christ’s body, the church, you have an important function to fulfill. 

 Eighty percent of the work in the local church is done by twenty percent of the people.

Those are a lot of references to prayer in these two short letters! It is significant that in writing to new believers who were going through persecution, Paul never writes, “I pray that your persecution will end soon.” Rather, his prayers are focused on their growth in godliness and on the furtherance of God’s kingdom and glory through their perseverance in persecution  and through serving.

 

Serve out of godly character.

Living worthily of our calling is a concept that Paul used often. In Philippians 1:27, he wrote, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

 Ephesians 4:1-3 says, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

You don’t need to be perfect to serve the Lord. If that were the requirement, no one could do it! But you do need to be living in obedience to Him, seeking to glorify Him. If you’re living a double life, where you’re engaging in secret sin but putting up a front as a good Christian, then get things right before serving the Lord.

Christian service should flow out of a walk that is worthy of the Lord.

 

Serve the Lord joyfully

When God saves you, He puts desires for godly character and good works in your heart (Eph. 2:8-10)

“Where should I serve God?

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” He will put His desires into your heart, so that your desires and His desires are one and the same. 

Sometimes new believers wonder, “Where should I serve God?” Part of the answer to that question is, “What do you enjoy doing? What kind of service for the Lord brings you satisfaction? When you do it, does God seem to bless it?

 

 People will unfairly criticize you. Some parts of your service may not be your favorite thing. But, generally God wants you to serve Him joyfully in accord with your desires for goodness.

Paul`s desire and prayer was that every person who attends this church would be serving the Lord in some capacity, according to how He has gifted you. It’s a mindset the result is action. 

 

Heavenly Father

We bless you , help us to serve one another in our capacity. Help us to serve with the mindset and desire that you have poured in us. Give us and show us the opportunity to serve. In Jesus Name. Amen.