“Guarded From The Evil One” ( 2 Thessalonians 3: 3, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

A bodyguard forms a living shield between assailant and target, whether the assailant is armed and highly dangerous or unarmed and highly annoying. The bodyguard is willing to take a bullet or a verbal barb as the protector.

Jesus is our bodyguard. He stands between us and our adversary, who prowls around like a hungry lion, seeking anyone he may devour. Jesus “directs [our] hearts to God’s love” and to His own endurance. (2 Thessalonians 3:5) In this, Jesus gives us His protection, His perseverance, and God’s awesome love. In Him, we are strengthened.

Jesus is the ultimate shield from the evil one. After all, “from the beginning, God [chooses] [us] for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He calls [us] to this through [the] gospel, so that [we] might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

Therefore, “may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loves us and gives us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

“Chosen By God” ( 2 Thessalonians 2: 13, HCSB ) by Carley Evans

“God chose you for salvation.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13) “He calls you to this through [the] gospel, so you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

“For He chose [you] in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined [you] to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself.” (Ephesians 1:4-5)

“Where then is boasting? It is excluded. [You] are justified by faith.” (Romans 3:27,28) “Therefore, since [you] are declared righteous by faith, [you] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1) “Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)

“A Wonderful Purpose” ( Isaiah 25: 1, NEB ) by Carley Evans

“O Lord, Thou are my God; I exalt Thee and praise Thy Name; for Thou accomplish a wonderful purpose, certain and sure, from of old.”

 

“[God] makes known His hidden purpose — such is His will and pleasure determined beforehand in Christ — to be put into effect when the time is ripe: namely, that the universe, all in heaven and earth, might be brought into a unity in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:9-10) “Through [Christ] God chooses to reconcile the whole universe to Himself, making peace through the shedding of His blood upon the cross — to reconcile all things, whether on earth or in heaven, through Him alone.” (Colossians 1:20)

 

“The Lord is to be trusted, and He fortifies you and guards you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

 

Jesus says, “Set your troubled hearts at rest. Trust in God always; trust also in Me. There are many dwelling places in My Father’s house; if it were not so I should have told you; for I Am going there on purpose to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I shall come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I Am you may be also; and My way there is known to you.” (John 14:1-5)

 

Then, Jesus says: “I Am the way; I Am the truth and I Am life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” (John 14:6)

“Give Thanks For One Another” ( 2 Thessalonians 1: 3, NEB ) by Carley Evans

“Our thanks are always due to God for you, brothers. It is right that we should thank Him, because your faith increases mightily, and the love you have, each for all and all for each, grows ever greater.”

 

Notice the attitude of Paul, Silvanus and Timothy towards their brothers in Christ as exhibited here in the beginning of their letter “to the congregation of Thessalonians who belong to God” (2 Thessalonians 1:1). They express gratitude to God for increasing faith and for love shared — “each for all and all for each.” They commend the Thessalonians “because [their] faith remains so steadfast under all [their] persecutions, and all troubles [they] endure.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

 

Paul, Silvanus and Timothy exhort this congregation to “never tire of doing right.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13) And they write that “if anyone disobeys our instructions given by letter, mark him well, and have no dealings with him until he is ashamed of himself.” Then Paul clarifies, “I do not mean to treat him as an enemy, but give him friendly advice, as one of the family.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)

 

We are not to treat one another as if we are enemies. For we are not enemies; we are members of the one family — the family of God. Instead, we are to be grateful to God for one another, for our mutual faith and our growing love for each other.