II Thess. 1:11 - "MAY GOD COUNT YOU WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING"
“MAY GOD COUNT YOU WORTHY OF YOUR CALLING”
II Thess. – Chapter 1
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
August 16, 2011
Taught By: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
II Thess. 1:11: “To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith and power.”
Very quickly it became apparent on Sunday evening that I had opened up to the congregation a “mystery” of the Kingdom concerning the “Called”, “Chosen” “Anointed” and “Election”.
Sunday morning I carefully outlined David’s calling, preparation, subjugation, retribution, anointing, and ultimate election to his calling to be King of Israel. It is not automatic. Many run from their calling. Many do not make their calling and election sure. There are many battles to overcome persecution, rejection, betrayal, treachery, jealousies, misunderstanding, love of money, our own lusts, grief, perhaps illness etc. Here in II Thess 1:11, we read that God must count us worthy of our calling.
Then we are given the purpose of our calling: (Vs. 12) “In order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Therefore we must add to the “Calling”, “Being "Chosen”, "Anointed" and "Elected", that we may “gain the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:13) This measure in each one of us is “according to the Grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a miracle of grace that we become a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only by the strength of that grace that we will be able to “overcome” and be counted worthy of our calling. Our calling is to be instruments to carry His Presence and reveal His Glory “from the glory of His power” (Vs. 9). We are entrusted with various gifts and callings of service for the Kingdom of God. However, for each of us, the journey from salvation, through sanctification, son-ship, and election is for Him to reveal His Presence (Parousia) “from the glory of His power” for His Kingdom purposes.
Romans 9:11: “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that called.”
2 Thess 2:13: “That we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has “chosen” you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you through our gospel that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As Christians, we have all been “chosen” by the Lord. We have been “called” through the gospel. Our sanctification is by the Holy Spirit and “faith in the truth.” Our destination is to “gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” and be instruments of “the glory of His power” according to our election by grace.
We are called to God’s kingdom and glory. We are accepted by His Blood. When the Lord looks at us, he does not see our failings, but he sees the Blood. Within that “covering” he is sanctifying us from faith to faith and from glory to glory. The good pleasure of God denotes his gracious purposes towards his people. There are various and manifold purposes of grace and goodwill in God towards his people. We are all different and have different purpose and destiny.
“God has chosen us from the beginning. He has loved us with an everlasting love. The eternal date is from the beginning through all eternity. W are not elected of God because we were holy, but that we might be holy. Faith and holiness must be joined together as well as holiness and happiness.
The call of the gospel is a call to honor and happiness, even the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. He does not say, “You are chosen to salvation, and therefore you may be careless and secure”; but, therefore, stand fast.” (Matthew Henry)
2 Thess. 1:2: “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Grace is the sanctifying work of God that lets saved sinners live for Christ. Grace is what distinguishes the New Testament church from the law. Peace is Heaven’s tranquilizer that through the Grace of the Kingdom, we are able to rest while enduring the severest trials.
(Vs.3-4) “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 even 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 may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.”
He encourages those who were faint-hearted in face of continued persecution, pointing out its purifying effect and that it seals the doom of the enemies of God’s people. The day of the Lord will mean judgment for these, but all (without exception) who have believed will then be glorified and enjoy rest. He prays they may then be found worthy, being strengthened by God’s grace.
The Thessalonians’ faith and love are singled out for commendation; their courage in facing persecution even leads Paul to boast of them.
Severe trials often find carnal Christians doubting the goodness of the Lord, but these saints were doing the opposite---trusting Him more. Satan always seems to keep pace with every advance in faith, consequently their afflictions had increased. Coming to Christ is like volunteering for active duty in wartime.
(Vs.5) “This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you may be considered worthy of the Kingdom of God for which indeed you are suffering.”
‘WORTHY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD”!!!! According to this Word, it is a righteous thing on the part of God to allow us to endure suffering. However, he gives us the grace and peace to bear it. Beyond that, we are going to be thrilled when we see how He used our afflictions to make us worthy of a place in His Kingdom. It is not popular to preach that the Lord uses suffering to prepare His children for glory.
(Vs. 6-8): “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you. And to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
“In flaming fire” is a sign in the O.T. of God’s majesty. In that day, the Lord Jesus will appear from heaven. He will be revealed with His mighty angels. He will come in flaming fire, a refining fire to purify the saints and A consuming fire to the wicked. The effects of this appearance will be terrible to some and joyful to others.
He will be seen in a dual role, as the judge of the ungodly and the source of His glory will be seen in believers.
We could go into some deep theology here, but I am going to keep it simple. Paul states the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. There are those who are in controversy. The premillenialist see in these verses a description of the final judgment that will follow the rebellion at the end of the millennium. Others would distinguish between the day of Christ or Parousia, understood as primarily concerning the Church (the coming for the saints). Others the Day of the Lord, or revelation of the Lord Jesus (the coming with the saints).
I do not read any of this into this verse. I accept it as written. Whether this be by visitation, or Second Coming, if He doesn’t come, He will call.
(Vs. 9-10) ‘But these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed for our testimony to you was believed.”
This I do know, we will not carry the “glory of His power” unless we have crossed the “golden altar” as overcomers through the Outer Court, through the Holy Place and in His Presence (Parousia) of the Holy of Holies. Oh how the church cries out for the “ glory of His Power”. It is found in His “Parousia”. We may enter into “the presence of the Lord” now and experience the “glory of His Power” now!!!!!!
Whether he comes or calls, on that day He will glorify Himself in His saints. If we miss our day of visitation, we will also miss His presence (Parousia) being revealed through us (His saints) and the “glory of His Power”. The Lord will Himself be the "flarming fire" revealed in His church as a 'refining fire".
Lord Jesus please make me worthy of my calling.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture from N.A.S.; quotes from Matthew Henry; F. F. Bruce Bible Commentary, Peter E. Cousins, C.S. Lovett’s Lights on II Thess. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those from whom I have gleaned.