ANGLICAN DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL FOR NOVEMBER 11, 2022 (STAND FIRM)
TOPIC: ” STAND FIRM”
Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17(NKJV)
13. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
14. to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
16. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
17. comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
MESSAGE
STUDY: Paul was specific in his thanksgiving to God for the Thessalonians. God loved them and chose the Thessalonians as the first fruits to be saved. God loved and chose them for salvation (2 Thess. 2:13b, c.f. 1Thess 1:6). In his sovereignty, God chooses those He loves and saves them. In light of God’s work in saving them, Paul calls them to stand firm and hold to the traditions that were taught by Paul and his companions (2 Thess. 2:15). This is in contrast to 2 Thessalonians 2:2, where false teaching causes them to be shaken and alarmed; truth is worth standing firm on! Our hope in God’s promise to save and glorify us with Christ is sure because God keeps His promises. This hope is certain, sure and true.
We can rest on it – this comfort and hope comes through grace. We rest on God’s grace towards undeserving sinners. We have comfort even in the attack of lawlessness because God’s grace is behind our salvation. We have sure hope of God completing His salvation because His grace is behind it. If you wondered how you are going to stand firm all the way, remember that it is by God’s grace; we have no hope in ourselves. Don’t think of what you are going to do to stand firm but who are you depending on that you might do so. He will hold us fast.
PRAYER: Lord God, please keep me firm in faith until Christ returns in Jesus name Amen.
The Anglican Communion is the fourth-largest Christian denomination. Founded in 1867 in London, England, the communion currently has 85 million members within the Church of England and other national and regional churches in full communion.
