2 Thessalonians 1
Bible Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1
Today we are saying goodbye to a beloved sister in the Lord.
Last night we had a condolence service and the turn out was very large. This showed how much she was loved and missed by all of us. And personally for me and my wife, we will always miss her broad smile, happy face whenever she calls out and greets us.
And as I read today’s passage, I was also thinking back about this sister’s life and the encouragement that Paul to the members at Thessalonica seemed rather apt today…
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
~ 2 Thess 1:11-12
Someone asked recently here how do we know we have done enough?
I did not answer ’cause this is one question that is also burning in my mind. I guess that is why Paul’s encouragement to pommel our bodies and subdue it lest after preaching we ourselves are disqualified and how we are to press on towards the prize of God’s calling should constantly ring in our ears.
But as I looked back at this sister’s life, I realized that she has indeed been found “worthy of this calling”… and she had indeed fulfilled all the good pleasure of His goodness and work of faith… and that in her life, the name of the Lord Jesus has been glorified.
Now many of you do know her…
She was a very simple woman without much education. And yet, she brought up 3 wonderful children that are active in church and I am proud and humbled to be their co-workers.
Despite not being able to do much in church in terms in our normal view of things, many of the members I spoke to last night recalled lovingly how she somehow always manage to light up our day in church when she called out to us with her smile.
You may have your personal memories of her but one thing I do sincerely believe is this… she has played her part in this world according to the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ. And for this, we truly give thanks to God.
Now what about us?
The world continues to be in turmoil. The financial crisis does not look like it is going away. Although the floods have subsided somewhat in Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam, we never know if the next bout of thunderstorms and rain would once again deluge the land. People we know are falling sick and some even from terminal cancer. Everywhere we look, things do not seem to be going well.
But yet… there are still many things we can give thanks for.
We still have the freedom to worship our Lord and God. In Singapore, at least, we are very much sheltered from the environmental disasters. Although we may face some problems or issues in life, we are reduced to destitutes, living off the streets.
The end of 2011 is just around the corner.
As we come towards another spiritual meeting, let us consider the words of Paul today and reflect on where we stand…
- Would anyone give thanks to God because of our faith and love continues to grow? (v. 3)
- Would anyone boast of our faith and patience in the midst of our tribulations? (v.4)
- Are we counted worthy of the Kingdom of God? (v.5)
- Do we believe in the ‘testimony’ of the apostles (teachings from the Bible) that we can indeed stand before God when He comes again?