Because we live in a world broken by sin, suffering comes in many forms. Sometimes, it is the result of our own mistakes. Perhaps, we fail to fulfill a commitment we made or said something harsh to someone in our family or within our church body. The reverse is also true. Suffering can be imposed on us due to other’s mistakes or sin against us. Other times, suffering comes out of nowhere such as a disease, natural disaster or job loss; things that we did not cause but still must endure. Sometimes, these hurts seem random, but for Christians, the Bible warns us that we will experience a particular kind of suffering more than others—suffering for our faith. Because of the exclusive nature of Christianity (Jesus is the only way to God), we cannot always go along with what the world wants. In fact, our allegiance to Christ often puts us in conflict with a world that doesn’t understand or accept His rule. The early church in Thessalonica knew this very well as these saints endured great persecution for their faith. So how does Paul encourage them? Does he pray that their suffering would end immediately? No. Does he start a movement to overthrow their oppressors? No. Instead, he reminds them that their suffering is not meaningless. Paul tells them that God’s justice is at work even in their trials and that one day, He will repay their enemies. He shifts their focus from their present pain to the future hope of Christ’s return. Today’s passage, from 2 Thessalonians 1:4-12, presents three ways that saints must trust in God in the midst of present suffering. These are 1) to trust God’s righteousness in your trials, 2) trust that God’s judgment is certain and 3) trust that God’s future glory will be yours. For this post, we will focus on the first call which is To Trust God’s Justice in your trials.
2 Thessalonians 1:4 states the following: “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” In this verse, Paul explains that the Thessalonians’ endurance and faith are evidence of God’s righteous judgment. In fact, their endurance and faith were so evident that they served as an example to the surrounding churches. Likewise, Christians today who demonstrate endurance and faith in the midst of suffering are also evidence of God’s righteous judgment. So how does enduring persecution prove God’s judgment is righteous? The answer is that God, in His justice, rewards those believers (those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior) who endure (verse 5) and brings judgment to those who inflict harm against us (verse 6). Now, believers will not fully see all of these rewards and our adversaries will not see their judgment in full on this side of eternity; however, based on God’s promises, both, in God’s perfect timing, will fully and ultimately take place. What a comfort this was to the Thessalonian church in the first century and what a comfort this is to us today. For those of us who presently endure suffering for our belief in Jesus Christ, we can rest in God’s promise that His justice is perfect (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 1:6-9; 2:21).
So, how do we apply these truths when we endure suffering for our faith. A concise answer is found in another letter that Paul writes to the Philippian church. In this passage, he writes the following: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:27-29). Brothers and sisters, are we called to endure suffering for our faith? Absolutely! Will it be pleasant? No! But, rejoice while you suffer for two reasons: 1) Your present suffering provides assurance of your belief in Christ and 2) God’s justice is perfect and will, for both believers and adversaries alike, ultimately and fully take place!
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