2 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Trials

Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 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. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. [2 Thessalonians 1:1-5 NASB]

The second letter to the Thessalonians was written only a few months after the first one from Corinth. In that time some false teachers arose and caused some fear and confusion in the church. Also some of the people were becoming lax in their moral standards. Paul wrote to address these issues.

Overall, however, the church in Thessalonica was thriving. Paul had received reports concerning their faith, that it was growing. The faith of the Thessalonians was manifest in their love for one another.

From the beginning, The Thessalonian church suffered persecution. Paul was in Thessalonica for only three weeks before being driven out by Jews who were stirring up the crowds.

Far from being a curse, Paul views their tribulation as "a plain indication of God's righteous judgment." This doesn't mean that they are being judged for any wrong-doing. The persecution they endured was a vindication of their righteous faith in God. James says;

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [James 1:2-4 NASB]

Jesus promised blessings on those who sacrifice to follow Him. He said;

“Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life." [Mark 10:29-30 NASB]

Notice that one of the blessings we were promised is persecution. This is counter to everything in our natural state. But, in Christ, we can transform our attitude. Jesus gives us this encouragement;

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33 NASB]

 It is a simple fact of life that we are going to have to endure trials of various kinds. When the trials come, you have a choice. You can complain and moan about your sad state. Or, you can choose to view it as a test of your faith, and give thanks to God for this blessing.

This is not a natural reaction. It is a godly reaction.

Father, I pray that You will give me the grace to endure suffering for Your name's sake, without complaint. I thank You for the hard times as well as the easy times.