BEING WORTHY OF GOD'S CALLING- 2 THESS. 1:1-12

In Paul's opening statement to the Thessalonians, he identified the members of his ministry as himself, Silas and Timothy. Silas shared in the founding of the churches of Macedonia- Acts 15:40; 18:5. Timothy was one of Paul's converts on his first missionary journey- Acts 4:6-7; 1 Tim. 1:2. Timothy was part Jew and part Greek. God had manifested a ministry through Timothy as He had through Paul.

It is recorded by Pliny the elder that Thessalonica was where the first gentiles were slain for their faith. The local Roman governor of that immediate area had ordered that every Christian must bow before a statue of Caesar Augustus. The Roman emperor had been defied and his statues were prominent everywhere. Christians would not obey the edict and as a result they were severely punished. Many food items were first dedicated to heathen deities before being offered for sale in the market place. As a result, Christians stopped buying from the market as a witness of their faith. They immediately became marked people and were persecuted through crucifixions and burnings.

Paul continued to recognize their true standing with the Lord. If nobody thinks you are different, you are not an effective Christian. Christians are not called to be popular, rather we are to cause or ferment uproar for righteousness sake. The church is tempered and purified in the furnace of affliction.

God is a God of both justice and mercy. In His mercy He delays the final drastic punishment of those who reject Him. That punishment, when it comes will destroy everything on its part. God's own people will be caught to safety and His wrath will be poured out on the rebellious. God has infinite patience and God's children should have same patient spirit.

The call of God is a prominent thought with the apostles. Whom He predestines, them He call and whom He calls, He also justifies. Divine power is always necessary to fulfill the mandate of God in the life of a believer.

Bringing glory to the name of Christ is what the Christian life is all about. Being counted worthy of God's calling should be the goal of every Christian.