Staying productive when the couch keeps calling your name

A couple years ago, I was talking to a friend who had recently retired from his vocation. He has always been a hard worker and enjoyed having a lot of things going on at once, but in observing him from a distance, I started to notice some unhealthy habits developing in his life. We're good enough friends that I was able to be honest with him about what I was seeing.

It came to my attention a while back after he told me about a visit from his grandchildren. They were all at his house, having a good time, making noise, and moving everything around. When they left, it dawned on him that one of them moved the remote for the television and placed it where he couldn't find it. He was livid.

When I asked him why it was bothering him so much, he said, "What else do I have? At this point, I just want to watch TV, and now I can't even do that." His comment helped me realize how depressed he was, and how that depression was transforming a healthy, productive man, in unhealthy ways.

The Lord has called each of us to be productive in multiple ways, with the time, talents, and abilities we presently have. This was something Paul wanted the Thessalonians to understand as well, but some in their context were clearly struggling to grasp that truth.

So how can we be productive when the couch keeps calling our name? How can we stay productive for the Lord's glory when we'd rather take a prolonged nap?

I. Be a blessing, not a burden

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.  For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8, ESV

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul warned them not to be lazy. If there were any idle brothers among them, the church was told to challenge them to repent of their laziness and get back to work. For whatever reason, it appears that there were still some people in the church who hadn't yet taken these words to heart, so Paul elaborated on that admonition further.

In this passage, Paul challenged the church to stop socializing and spending their time with believers who walked in idleness. There was a two-fold reason for doing so. First of all, it could be a form of social discipline for the lazy person. Second, it would help prevent the bad habits of those individuals from rubbing off on others.

As Paul shared this challenge, he did so as someone with great credibility. He reminded them of the example he set for them when he was with them. During his visit, he didn't burden them financially. He worked hard at his tent-making trade so he wouldn't have to be dependent on them for money. He even states here that he didn't eat the food of others without compensating them for it. Paul wanted to be a blessing, not a burden to this church.

Years ago, I had a conversation with a woman who was in failing health. She had worked hard all her life, but in her weakened state, she was now relying on others to care for her. It never set well with her, and she said to me, "I feel like I'm being a burden to everyone." She wasn't a burden, but that's how she felt. But in the church in Thessalonica, there were people who didn't seem too troubled in conscience to burden the church family with their needs, even though they could have met their own needs through hard work and personal effort.

II. Show integrity in your labor

“It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.  For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.  For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.  Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:9-12, ESV

Paul elaborated further on the importance of showing integrity in our labor. He reminded this church that even though he had the right to be compensated for the spiritual care he provided when he was among them, he willing went without compensation. He wanted to give them an example to imitate. He wanted to give them a picture that could point their hearts to the sacrificial service we have been shown by Jesus Christ. And Paul wanted to make sure that the people of that city could never falsely accuse him of doing what he was doing because he was motivated by dishonest gain.

But since there were those within that church who seemed to be ignoring the example of Christ's service, and the direct teaching on labor that they had received from Paul, Paul gave them a more forceful form of instruction that would be hard to misunderstand. He said, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat." That seems harsh, but is it? I think it makes perfect sense. Instead of sitting around gossiping, complaining, and taking advantage of the hard work of others, some of these brothers and sisters needed a kick in the pants. Missing a few meals might just do the trick.

Again, keep in mind that Paul was addressing this to people who had the opportunity and ability to work, but were choosing not to. This wasn't a statement regarding those who needed compassionate care and benevolence. This was a word of correction to those who were taking advantage of others so they could sit around all day doing nothing.

As a pastor, I'm often given the task to try to determine how to share benevolent forms of care with those who have needs. Sometimes, it's obvious that there's a genuine need that the church can help meet. Other times, it becomes clear that people who persist in laziness are just trying to take advantage of the giving nature of local churches. I have had to confront that form of deceit multiple times throughout the course of my years in church leadership.

So, what does it look like for us to show integrity in the labor the Lord has given us? A while back, I happened to see a documentary on the life of Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon loved Jesus and was motivated to preach His gospel, serve His people, and evangelize the lost. As I watched the film, I was fascinated with Spurgeon's level of productivity, and I pulled six principles from that documentary that I wrote down so I could share them with others as well.

Charles Spurgeon was a well-known pastor during the late 1800’s. He pastored a church that grew very large under his leadership, while writing approximately 150 books, publishing a magazine, founding an orphanage, establishing a pastors’ college, and starting many other Christ-centered ministries (a large percentage of which are still operating).

Here are six principles I gleaned from that overview of his life that I think will help us become productive in our work as well. (Here's a link to the full article I wrote about it).

1. Understand what needs to get done.

2. Create a schedule and keep to it.

3. Eliminate sloth and time-wasters from your schedule.

4. Surround yourself with a team that helps you get things accomplished.

5. Schedule time for prayer and rest.

6. Don't neglect your family.

III. Don't grow weary in doing good

“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.  If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.  Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15, ESV

Paul stated something in these verses that is immensely helpful for believers to understand when they devote themselves to faithfully serving the Lord. As the Holy Spirit inspired his words, Paul encouraged the church not to grow wearing in doing good. Have you ever experienced feelings of weariness while you were serving God's people? If you've been serving as an active volunteer in a local church, or if you've been leading an active ministry department, I have no doubt that at times you have definitely experienced weariness. It comes to us all.

It can be particularly wearisome when you're not only trying to do what the Lord has called you to do, but you're also trying to carry the weight for others who won't share in the load. It's exhausting when you have to repeatedly admonish and warn other believers who seem to value their own comfort more than anything else in this world. Paul's words in this passage show that he understood how this felt.

Earlier this week, two pastors I have admired since childhood passed away. In fact, they were also friends, and they passed away within 24 hours of each other. Their ministries began before I was even born, but in the decades I have had the privilege to observe them, I have watched them both persist in their work, refusing to give up, even when they went through prolonged periods of burden and discouragement. They lasted so long in ministry because in their moments of weariness, they allowed Jesus to lift them up and see them through. And I'm certain that now that they're face-to-face with Christ, they would most certainly say, it was all worth it.

IV. Walk in the grace and peace of Christ

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18, ESV

As Paul ends this letter to the church in Thessalonica, he does so by encouraging them to walk in the grace and peace of Christ. The peace Christ supplies isn't merely the absence of conflict. It's a steady confidence in Him that isn't lost during seasons of heaviness and trial.

The grace of Christ is His unmerited favor that He bestows upon His family in more ways than we can easily count. Are you walking as one who has been immensely blessed by His grace? Do you live as someone who is continually comforted by His peace?

The Lord's calling on our lives is more significant than any other voice we'll ever hear. Our couches may be calling us to fold our hands and rest, but Christ has called us to press on and not give in to weariness while we do the good He empowers us to do.

There will be plenty of time for us to slumber if we truly need it, but for now, let's remain active and productive while we joyfully wait for Christ's return.

© John Stange, 2020

Is the Lord directing your heart?

Not long ago, I made a surprise visit to a campsite where both of my sisters and their children were camping. They didn't know I was coming, so they were surprised, as were my nieces and nephews.

The campsite was part of a more elaborate campground that was part rustic, and part amusement. The place featured things like mini-golf, large swimming pools, bumper boats, and paddle boats. I didn't go swimming, but I tried everything else.

Of the options, I think the paddle boats were my favorite. It was certainly a good workout to take that boat around the pond, but I was also impressed with how easily I was able to steer it. The steering seemed to work better than I remembered something like that working. Because I was able to direct the boat without too much complication, the experience of floating around the water was particularly enjoyable.

Direction is important in life. It's also important to let yourself be directed. In fact, the Lord makes it clear in His word that He desires to direct the course of our lives, the steps that we take, and the affections of our hearts.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Paul demonstrates the ways in which the Lord directs our lives once we yield ourselves over to Him by faith. Take a look at some of the examples we're given in this passage.

I. The Lord will direct you to advance the spread of the Gospel

“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, ”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:1, ESV

Doing hard things can be valuable and enjoyable, but if you want to do something sustainable, you need others to support you. Paul was certainly someone who was willing to do very difficult things, but he was also grateful for the support of the churches that got behind him and helped him with his efforts.

Paul was motivated to spread the good news of Jesus Christ wherever he found an open door to do so. He followed the Lord's direction to share the gospel in Thessalonica, and he was looking to continue sharing the gospel in new areas. But for his efforts to be truly successful, he knew he needed the prayer support of his brothers and sisters in Christ.

So as Paul began winding down this brief letter to the church, he asked them to pray for him in a very specific way. He asked them to pray that the gospel would keep advancing and would keep touching hearts as it was proclaimed city to city.

If our hearts are in line with the Lord's desires for us, I believe we'll clearly experience a divine nudge from Him to participate in advancing the spread of the gospel as well. This is a joyful activity that He wants all believers, not just apostles, to engage in. It is our privilege and joy to testify to this world that Jesus has saved us, and that He desires to save them as well.

II. The Lord will protect you from evil

“and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.  But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3, ESV

When I was a child, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' home. I loved it there. In their kitchen, they had a bar style table with storage cabinets underneath. One evening, my grandfather leaned under the table to get something out of the cabinet and accidentally hit his head on the edge of the table when standing back up. It was obviously painful, so the next time I saw him get something from the cabinet, I put my hand between his head and the table so he wouldn't accidentally hit it a second time. I remember him thanking me, but also being surprised that his grandson would risk hurting a hand in order to protect him from injury.

But that's what you do for someone you love. And if an immature child can love their grandfather enough to try to protect him, how much more do you suppose our perfect God is willing to lovingly protect His own children?

Paul was aware that Christians in this world who are choosing to be actively directed by the Lord, are going to experience some obstacles and opposition. Much of that opposition will come at the hands of people who are bent on doing evil because their lives are being directed by Satan (often without them realizing it).

Having experienced many instances of opposition and harm in the past, Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for his protection from evil. And even as he asked them to pray about this, he did so with confidence that the Lord would guard and protect him.

The Lord is doing the same for us as well. Have you ever considered some of the ways the Lord may be protecting you from evil? Obviously He's doing so in spiritual ways that we may not directly perceive, but He also protects us by speaking to our conscience through His Spirit and His word. He protects us by telling us where to go and where not to go, who to spend our time with and who to avoid, and who to allow to influence us along the way.

Don't dismiss the benefits of the Lord's protective hand upon your life. Recognizing the fact that He actively and lovingly protects His children from evil can grant us a considerable amount of confidence as we walk through the various seasons and tests that occur in our lives.

III. The Lord will direct you to apply His word to your life

“And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:4, ESV

When looking at one of my online accounts, I recently realized that I had a credit that was good for some money off a digital book of my choosing. I wasn't sure what I should use it on, so I asked my friends if they could offer me some suggestions. I also stressed that I wasn't interested in any fiction recommendations. I was primarily looking for something to read that taught me how to do something practical. (That tends to be my general reading preference).

I received some good suggestions that I found helpful, but when it comes down to it, I'll never find a book more interesting, practical, and helpful as the Bible itself. Throughout His word, the Lord has communicated the very things I need to know for life and godliness. His word gives me wisdom on how to live, serve, raise a family, and honor Him.

It wouldn't surprise you to know that I read His world regularly, but there's a danger that we as Christians should be aware of when we're reading Scripture. The danger is that we might read it more out of a sense of duty than delight. That we might skim over it, but never actually apply it.

When Paul instructed the Thessalonians, he gave them godly counsel that the Holy Spirit inspired. That counsel is also reflected in Paul's letters to this church. As Paul instructed them, he didn't just want them to mentally assent to his teaching. He wanted them to apply it to their lives. He wanted them to live out the instruction that the Holy Spirit inspired Him to communicate.

In our case, it doesn't hurt for us to be reminded to do the same thing when we look at Paul's words in this passage. As people of the word, living lives directed by Christ, we're called to apply the teaching of Scripture to our lives. The Lord hasn't called us to debate or argue with Him about what He's communicated. He's called us to trust Him enough to say "Yes," when He blesses us with His divine counsel, encouragement, and instruction.

Which are you better at? Debating the Lord, or saying "Yes" when He speaks?

IV. The Lord will guide you toward His love and steadfastness

“May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”

— 2 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV

There are many things in this world that compete for our affections. No matter where we go or what activity we're involved it, something is always trying to get our attention. When we're online, we get ads. When we're driving, we see billboards. If we have young children, they're always screaming our names or tugging on our pant legs looking for attention.

But there's no greater affection our hearts can experience than to have our hearts divinely guided toward a mature understanding of God's love and an appreciation for the steadfast, patient endurance of Christ.

As the Thessalonians grew in their faith, Paul expected to see more and more of this in them. As we grow in our faith, the Lord wants to see more and more of this in us.

If our lives are truly submitted over to the Lord, He will direct our eyes to seek His face. He will direct our hearts to appreciate the depth of His love. He will direct our steps to walk in sync with Him as He leads us throughout the course of our lives. We can entrust ourselves to His care. He is worthy of our submission and affection.

© John Stange, 2020

You are called and equipped to stand firm

Growing up, I was blessed with younger sisters, but I didn't have a brother. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise you to hear me say that boys tend to be interested in a variety of things girls aren't interested in. For instance, as a child, I was very interested in wrestling and fighting. For some strange reason, that never appealed to my sisters (although sometimes I didn't really give them much of a choice).

There was one silver lining to my brother-less scenario, however. I have a cousin who is the exact same age as me and we didn't live far apart. So with regularity, when our families would get together, he and I would almost immediately begin to wrestle or fight. Usually it was all in good fun. Sometimes it got way out of hand.

Since we typically would meet up at my grandparents home, and in order to prevent their furniture from being destroyed, our fathers decided to channel our energy in a different direction. They taught us a fun game that involved trying to force each other off balance. Since it was a competitive test of strength, we loved it. In order to win, you had to do two things; force your opponent to lose his footing, and prevent him from causing you to lose yours. You needed to stand firm under pressure.

I find it interesting to read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 knowing that, according to this Scripture, the Lord has called and equipped us to stand firm in our faith regardless of the internal or external pressures we may be facing.

Take a look at this passage with me as we observe the nature of how we've been equipped to do this.

I. You were chosen for salvation

“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:13, ESV

This passage begins by speaking of a spiritual reality that Christians would benefit from thinking about more than they do. As Paul opens these verses to the Thessalonians, he wanted to remind them of one of the greatest reasons we as believers should express our thanks to the Lord. That reason is the fact that the Lord has chosen us to be the recipients of His gift of salvation.

This was something Paul wanted to make sure the Thessalonians understood. In their case, he refers to them as "the firstfruits to be saved." They were the first generation of believers in Jesus Christ in their city. They were the first generation of Christians to experience the blessing of sanctification as the Holy Spirit enabled these young believers to grow in holiness. They were the first generation to have their eyes opened to the truth of the gospel in their community. God chose them for this.

There's something special about the feeling of being chosen. I remember my wife telling me that in a very real way it made her feel more secure about our dating relationship during our college years when she thought about the fact that I chose her. There was something about that reality that impacted her on an emotional level. It felt more sure and solid to her than if the opposite was true.

Consider what the Lord is revealing to us in this passage by virtue of what He had done for the Thessalonians. This passage demonstrates that if you have had your eyes opened up to your need for Jesus Christ to save you, it's because the Lord divinely graced you with that blessing. It may have initially felt like you chose Him, but in reality, you responded to His offer because He chose you.

Do you feel worthy to be chosen to be the beneficiary of Christ's gift of salvation? I certainly don't, and that's perfectly fine because I am not inherently worthy of it. But Jesus, who atoned for our sin, and fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf, is willing to give us the gift of His righteousness. Our "worthiness" has nothing to do with what we could offer Him back. Jesus is worthy, and as the Father looks at us, He sees His son living within us.

II. You will share in the glory of Christ

“To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:14, ESV

One of the most entertaining things to observe is to watch your friends raise and interact with their children. This is especially true when their children remind you of younger versions of your friends. I get the biggest kick out of seeing kids who look like, talk like, and behave just like their parents.

I mention that because in a very real way, that concept is being demonstrated on a spiritual level in this passage. As part of the family of Christ, we begin to look like Him in many ways, and we will ultimately share in His glory. His glory will be seen in us forever.

The moment we came to faith in Christ, we were justified. Over the course of our Christian life, we are being sanctified. When our earthly life comes to an end, we will be glorified. The day is rapidly approaching when we will be perfected in every way.

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

And since we will obtain and share in Christ's glory for all time, what's holding us back from giving others a visible taste of it here and now? I believe the Lord wants to show others His glory through how He is graciously working in our lives.

III. You must take the teaching of God's word seriously

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV

Recently, I set up a new office in my home. It's become my favorite place to work. I took a corner of our basement that wasn't being used for anything significant, and completely transformed it. I set up partitions and built a very practical L-shaped desk. I bought a new printer/copier, and added two bookshelves. When everything was put together, I gathered some of my most frequently consulted books and put them in place. I also selected some of my favorite copies of the Bible to keep in close proximity to my desk.

In doing that, it dawned on me that I have no idea how many printed Bibles I own. I have copies of the Bible in just about every room in my home. I have a copy that I keep in my car. I have digital copies on all my devices, and I think I have at least twenty copies in various translations in my church office as well. What a blessing it is to live in an era when the word of God is so accessible.

The Thessalonians lived during an era when that wasn't the case. The New Testament was still being written during their time, and printing presses hadn't yet been invented, so literature wasn't as readily available. In their era, everything had to be written out by hand. In their case, they were frequently dependent on information being verbally taught or passed on through oral tradition. And if they did have a copy of written text, it frequently needed to be shared among many people.

But just the same, Paul implored them to stand firm in the word of God that had been delivered to them. That's a challenge I want our hearts to hear as well. We need to be people who take the word of God seriously.

What does it look like to take God's word seriously? I think a person who takes it seriously will be curious about it and motivated to learn it. And once they learn it, they'll be intentional to obey it because they trust its source. Conversely, a person who doesn't take God's word seriously won't examine it, won't commit it to memory, and won't obey it. They'll simply continue to obey their own passions and the changing values of their culture, mindless of the consequences of their spiritual ignorance.

IV. You have been set up to succeed in ways that matter most

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, ESV

I'm grateful for the ways the Lord invests in His children. He doesn't call us unto Himself and then forget about us. He's building us up, and He's enabling us to succeed in ways that actually matter.

Paul demonstrates that here in this passage. He reminds us that the Lord shows us His unconditional love. And not only does He love us, He comforts us with an eternal comfort. In conjunction with that, He grants us hope beyond this present moment. Then, because He's fully invested in making us people who reflect His glory, He establishes us in "every good work and word." In Christ, our feet are being planted on solid ground.

When you look at your life, what do you see? Are you still measuring yourself by earthly metrics that hold no value for eternity? Do you beat yourself up because your life doesn't look exactly like you thought it might look at this point? Do you tell yourself that the goal of your life is to have a fulfilling career, perfect marriage, children who never make mistakes, and more money in your bank account than you know what to do with? Why torture yourself with such things?

The measurements this world uses should not be the measurements we adopt for ourselves. We've been set up to succeed in ways that are much more meaningful. We have significantly greater things to look forward to, and we are being prepared for a more glorious future than we endure in the present.

Through your faith in Jesus Christ, you are called and equipped to stand firm in the midst of a world that tends to adopt a very unstable value system for itself. Let your mind dwell on this truth. Let your eyes see beyond the present moment. Give your heart permission to anchor itself in the words and works of Christ.

© John Stange, 2020

Even if the world is deceived, you don't need to be

During the early years of high school, I remember watching an interview on TV with a prominent world leader. I paid attention to what he was saying, but something about his words and facial expressions seemed off. Most people at the time believed what he was saying, but I didn't. As he spoke, I remember asking my father, "Why can't people tell that he's lying?"

That moment stuck in my mind, and it became a question I frequently came back to. I wondered why that leader was able to convince so many people that he was telling the truth even though it seemed plain to me that he wasn't. Years later, the truth came out and my suspicions of that man were shown to be 100% correct. Why was I able to see what so many were missing?

In time, I learned that I wasn't the only one who could perceive his dishonesty. Others picked up on it as well, and there was a common thread that ran throughout those who understood. It became clear that followers of Christ were able to discern something the rest of the world couldn't see. I believe the Holy Spirit was intervening in our lives to help us see these truths. He was opening our eyes to catch what many didn't want to accept or understand.

Deception is one of Satan's favorite tools to use against humanity. He tries to keep us in the dark so we'll walk in darkness. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, we're told of a future day when deception and lawlessness is going to be rampant. This Scripture describes a future day when deception is going to be so prevalent, it will be treated like obvious truth, but those who believe in Christ don't need to succumb to it.

I. You don't need to be easily shaken

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, ESV

When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he taught them many things about the Christian faith and what Jesus was still going to accomplish at a future date. But soon after Paul left the city of Thessalonica, it appears that false teachers attempted to distort Paul's teaching and confuse the Thessalonian believers.

Some were saying that the day of the Lord had already come, and the Thessalonian Christians had missed out. I imagine that must have been terrifying for some of these young believers. Their day-to-day lives involved regular persecution and pain, but through it all, they reminded themselves of the hope they had toward the future. To be told that much of what they were looking forward to was no longer an option would have been painfully alarming.

So Paul reminded them that they didn't need to be easily shaken or alarmed about this subject. Whether a deceitful spirit tried to propagate false information, or if it came through conversation, or even a forged letter, these believers could stand on the truth, and Paul was about to lay it all out for them in abundant clarity.

This is good counsel for us when we're trying to assess what's taking place during the course of our lives. Many people find themselves easily shaken and at times over-reactive. Why? In many respects, it comes down to believing the wrong information sources or failing to hold all sources of information up to the light of Scripture. For that reason, I would encourage us to begin immersing ourselves in the teaching of God's word so that we can better discern truth from error.

II. The lawless one will be revealed

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? ”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5, ESV

In multiple places, Scripture teaches us about the coming day of the Lord. It's a day of judgment and blessing. Those who have rejected Christ will be condemned, while those who have fully trusted in Jesus will receive eternal life and heavenly rewards. In this passage, Paul explains some of the historical events that will precede the coming of that day.

Prior to the day of the Lord, there will be a rebellion against the Lord and against biblical wisdom. People will throw off restraint and show utter contempt for the teaching of Scripture. Then the man of lawlessness, also referred to as the Antichrist, will be revealed. He will be a powerful world leader who will enjoy great influence and the affection of many people. He will be elevated to his position and will have great authority to rule the earth.

During the days of the Antichrist, he will present himself as an object of worship. He will exalt himself as if he is higher than God. Satan will empower the Antichrist, and will do so with the same proud and rebellious attitude he always conveys toward God. We already live in a time when people worship celebrities and political leaders, so this form of deception from a future leader demanding worship doesn't strike me as shocking. We already see a picture of it.

III. The lawless one will be destroyed

“And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.  And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.  The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10, ESV

While the Antichrist will have the opportunity to rule for a season of time, his reign will eventually be ended. Even now, the ability of Satan to raise up the Antichrist is being restrained. I believe the Holy Spirit is presently restraining Satan from doing this. I believe He restrains Satan through the influence of the church on the culture, through human governments, and through other divinely empowered means that are mysterious to me. But the day is coming when this restraint will be lifted.

When that restrain is lifted and the Antichrist is enabled to do his bidding in this world, Satan will empower him and employ false signs and seemingly miraculous acts that will be done through this man of lawlessness, in order to deceive those who do not know Christ. The Scripture tells us that those who refuse to love the truth, and those who reject Christ's offer of salvation, will fall under the Antichrist's deception.

But the reign of the man of lawlessness will not continue forever. When Christ comes again to rule, reign, and restore righteousness on this earth, the Antichrist will be destroyed. We're told here that the Antichrist is the one who, "the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming." Christ will have His victory, and will end the deceptive and destructive reign of the Antichrist which Satan empowered.

IV. If you take pleasure in unrighteousness, you are more likely to be deceived

“Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, ESV

So what's the value in knowing all these things ahead of time? What if we aren't even here to experience these events? Is there still something we can learn from this teaching? I believe there is.

First of all, I think we're able to keep our present trials in context when we understand the ultimate future outcome the Lord has planned. Our confidence in the Lord can remain strong even when we're enduring difficulty because we know He has a perfect plan that He is bringing to fruition.

I think it's also valuable to know about these things so we don't fall prey to Satan's schemes like so many will in that coming day. We're told that those who reject Jesus will be locked in that state forever. They will continue to believe what is false because they take pleasure in unrighteousness.

Let me ask you a highly personal question that I hope you'll take to heart. At present, do you take pleasure in unrighteousness? Is that what you crave? Is giving in to the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of your eyes, and the boastful pride of life the way you're currently living? If so, please understand what the outcome will be. If your greatest pleasure is found in the things that offend the holiness of God, you will be deceived by Satan or by those who do Satan's bidding.

But if on the other hand, you want to understand the truth of Christ, walk in the light of His gospel, and truly comprehend the will of God for your life, you'll need to renounce your allegiance to sin. You can be free from sin or you can be a slave to sin, but you can't be both. And if you're struggling to find perfect peace, or you're struggling to understand God's will for your life, I'd encourage you to start asking yourself some hard questions about the sin you've invited to take hold in your mind and your heart.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

In the future, this world may be deceived, but you don't need to be. In the present, this world may be deceived, but you don't need to be. If Christ is truly Lord of your life, your eyes will be opened to the truth, and the deluding power of sin that likes to keep us deceived and depressed will be utterly destroyed by the breath of Christ's mouth.

© John Stange, 2020

Our greatest hope is not in the here and now

There's an interesting verse in the book of Ecclesiastes that comes back to my mind from time to time. It's a verse that I've been thinking about a lot lately, but before I share it with you, I want to first share where my mind has been drifting in recent days.

Several months ago, I came across a home video that was posted on YouTube. It wasn't a video of my family or friends. It was a video that was filmed decades ago when I was a teenager. The video was taken where I grew up, and it followed a group of people my same exact age going to our mall, shopping at local stores, passing by our ice cream place, cruising around town in their junky car, and having an absolute blast.

I don't personally know a single person in the video, but I feel like I do. I have watched it several times, and every time I do, it makes me more nostalgic. I miss those sights and sounds. I miss certain aspects of that season of life. And in our current societal state, I miss what it was like to live like that.

Then we come to the verse I just mentioned in Ecclesiastes. In Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NLT), we're told, "Don’t long for 'the good old days.' This is not wise." Why do you suppose Scripture tells us not to long for those days? I suppose there are several reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is illustrated in 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 where we're shown that our greatest hope isn't in the here and now. Our greatest hope is in Jesus, and His word reveals what He has in store.

I. God has promised you a good life, not an easy one

“This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— ”

— 2 Thessalonians 1:5, ESV

One of the benefits you and I enjoy as Christians living during this era of history is the example of those who have come before us. Many of us enjoyed the blessing of growing up in a Christian family that modeled what faith in Christ looked like. And even if you didn't grow up in that context, there are many generations of Christians who have lived the life of faith over the past two thousand years that you can look to for examples, ideas, and inspiration.

For the church at Thessalonica, however, that wasn't a luxury they enjoyed. They were the first generation of Christians in their families. They were the first generation of Christians in their city. And being that they were misunderstood and oppressed, they suffered greatly at the hands of those who hated Jesus, despised them, and resented the claims of the gospel.

But one of the things the Thessalonians had straight in their minds, that we should also strive to understand, is the fact that God has promised us a good life, not an easy one. Paul illustrates this when he speaks of their suffering, but also the blessings they enjoyed in being part of the eternal kingdom of God.

The fact that this recently converted group of believers was willing to endure this without abdicating their faith, showed that God's judgment was just. Through their suffering and trials, their identity as God's children was being confirmed. In Christ, they had been made "worthy" of this divine designation, and the lives they were living confirmed that the internal change Jesus made within them was effective and real.

This is something we should take note of. I recognize that in many respects, we all hope to experience an easy life. I'm sure we all probably daydream at times of easier seasons, particularly when we're being tested. But again, God promises us a good life, not an easy one. Through Jesus, we have a good life. When the sun is shining it's good. When the sky is cloudy, it's still good. And even on our best days, God's word has confirmed that the future He has in store for us is better than the best days we've experienced at present.

II. The day is coming when God's justice will be undeniable

“since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, ESV

Jesus is coming back, and He will restore all things when He does. I still remember first learning about the fact that Jesus had promised to return. As a young person, I wasn't sure if that was something I should be looking forward to or afraid of. I often wondered what He would find me doing when He returned. Would I be on the right path, or would I try to hide my face in shame because of embarrassment.

In this passage, Paul shared several very specific pieces of information regarding future events that will surround the return of Jesus. He started off by explaining to the Thessalonians that in that day, the Lord was going to repay those who were afflicting them. Truth be told, I don't wish for vengeance on those who oppress God's people. I pray for their repentance. But I think part of why this information was shared with the Thessalonians was so they understood that they didn't need to retaliate against those who hurt them. That was a matter that could be entrusted to the Lord to handle in the fairest way possible.

Paul shared that the day was coming when all who trust in Jesus will be granted relief. This will include relief from our struggles, relief from our trials, relief from our pain, and relief from any form of oppression. We will live in His presence for all eternity, and no harm will be inflicted upon us ever again.

But those who persist in their rejection of Christ, can expect the exact opposite. Jesus came the first time in meekness. He most often veiled His power, and He has given humanity thousands of years to repent of their unbelief. But those who never come to the place of trusting Him completely and surrendering their lives over to Him, will experience His wrath when He returns. This Scripture makes it very clear that they will suffer eternal punishment and spend their eternity separated from the joys of the Lord's glory.

When I preach on passages like this, I often wonder what goes through people's minds. I wonder if it freaks them out a little. I'm actually convinced that it's good if that's what it does because every word of this passage is going to be fulfilled sooner than we probably realize.

But also consider the gracious and merciful nature of our Lord. Why would He tell us these things ahead of time and then give us so much time to ponder these words? He's showing us a high level of patience. I believe He's sharing these warnings ahead of time, because He doesn't want us to experience eternal separation from Him. He is graciously warning us and giving us time to wake up to our need for Jesus Christ.

"The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." (2 Peter 3:9, NLT)

The day is coming when God's justice will be undeniable. On that day, where will you stand? Will you come before His throne as one who has given your complete trust to Jesus Christ to save you, or will you be counted among the many who never really had a relationship with Jesus at all?

III. Don't resent your refinement

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so 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.”

— 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, ESV

The past two years, my sons and I have agreed to a small task that takes a little commitment to accomplish. We have decided to do 100 push-ups every single day, without exception, in the month of June. We are gracious in that we allow them to be done in segments, but as we noticed last year, and we're noticing again this year, those push-ups get much easier to do as the month goes on. Our bodies are being gradually refined, and that process is making us stronger.

That's a microcosm of what the Lord is actually accomplishing in the lives of all fully committed believers at present. He's refining us. He's strengthening us. He's using our experiences to teach us things. He's speaking to us through His Spirit and His word. He's directly blessing us with His power through His indwelling presence.

Paul understood this, and he wanted to make sure the Thessalonians knew he was praying to the Lord to accomplish this level of refinement in their lives. He prayed for them with great regularity that they would grow in holiness and maturity. He prayed that the good works the Lord was doing in their lives would be brought to fruition so that the name of Jesus Christ would be glorified among them. He prayed that the Lord would bless them with the demonstration of His great grace.

In this season of your life, and in every season, the Lord is trying to teach you something. He wants you to know Him better, and He wants your confidence in what He's in the process of accomplishing to grow. How do you typically respond to the lessons He's sharing with you?

Elena Bonner, wife of Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, says that as he wrote his memoirs she typed, edited, and nursed the work, doing everything she could to make sure it survived seizure by the government. Sakharov worked on his memoirs in Gorky, rewriting sections because they kept vanishing. Then one day he met Elena at the train station and with trembling lips told her, “They stole it.”

She says he looked like a man who had just learned of the death of a close friend. But after a few days, Sakharov returned to his work. According to his wife, each time he rewrote his memoirs there was something new—something better. -Today in the Word, Moody Bible Institute, January, 1991, p. 34

The story of your life is currently being written. The Lord already knows the outcome, but in the process, He's blessing you with the privilege to experience the kind of refinement only His sovereign hand could truly orchestrate.

Our greatest hope is not in the here and now. Good things are being held in store for all who know Jesus Christ by faith. If we take that truth to heart, I'm certain our approach to every circumstance, season, or challenge will be impacted for the better.

© John Stange, 2020

Three ways to test your spiritual maturity

In the book of 1 Thessalonians, Paul expressed his great joy for the ways in which he could see the faith of the church in Thessalonica growing. He had been concerned that his inability to remain with them, due to persecution, was going to have a negative impact on their spiritual growth. When word of their continual progress in faith reached his ears, Paul was overjoyed and he wrote his first letter to them to encourage the church and give them additional instruction.

Unfortunately, sometime after receiving that letter from Paul, the church started behaving strangely. It appears that some in the Thessalonian church were misinterpreting the teaching they had received about the future return of Christ. It may also have been the case that false teachers were corrupting good doctrine and producing confusion among them. Either way, some of the people apparently began quitting their jobs, abdicating their responsibilities, and failing to redeem the time they had been blessed with because they didn't expect to be there much longer.

Paul was in the city of Corinth when he took the time to write 2 Thessalonians. It was written just a short time after his first letter to them had been sent. In his second letter to the church, Paul went into great detail about the return of Jesus as well as other events that will take place during that time in history. He also made a point to encourage the church to understand how to apply the teaching of Scripture to their lives more accurately, while reminding them of the ultimate victory Christ secures on our behalf.

Some of the issues this church was dealing with came down to their level of spiritual maturity. How spiritually mature do you believe yourself to be? Is that a question you've ever really asked yourself? In the opening verses of 2 Thessalonians 1, I see three simple questions we can ask ourselves in order to test our level of spiritual maturity.

I. Is your faith growing?

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV

There are people in my life that I am extremely thankful for. They're the type of people who serve as examples to me, remind me that they value me, and in general tend to show kindness to my family. It's clear that the Thessalonian Christians were people that Paul was genuinely thankful for, possibly for some of the same reasons, but also because of what he could see the Lord accomplishing in their lives.

One of the most obvious pieces of evidence that the Lord was at work within them was the fact that their faith was growing. I like the way Paul describes that growth. He doesn't say their faith was gradually improving, which would also be a compliment. He says their faith was growing "abundantly." In every way, with great evidence, their faith was making progress.

Where is your faith at right now? Is it growing? Has it stagnated? Are you even questioning whether it was there to begin with?

Recently, I received news of someone who used to volunteer in our church who has apparently decided to adopt worldly values as her primary worldview. All external evidence seems to indicate that she has drifted backward in faith. I heard a similar report from another friend of mine regarding her husband. She told me that He's no longer walking with the Lord. Both reports were sad to hear.

Christ's desire for us once He saves us is that we won't return back to a worldly mindset or the life of sin we were once tied to. He has set us free from those chains, and He is presently empowering us to walk in the freedom He secured for us when He atoned for our sin on the cross.

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. (1 Corinthians 6:12)

So practically speaking, is there an approach to life that we can take that might help us to grow abundantly in faith so we won't revert back to a depressive state of worldliness? Let me suggest a few things that I can testify are helping me.

1. Hold whatever you choose to believe up to the light of Scripture.

2. Filter your mental, emotional, and spiritual diet so you're only inviting things to influence you that convey the truth of the gospel.

3. Do not neglect to assemble together with other believers who will invest in you, encourage you, and hold you accountable.

4. Confess your sin to the Lord and to at least one other person.

5. Pray without ceasing.

II. Is your love for others increasing?

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. ”

— 2 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV

I was involved in a group discussion on prayer recently, and the participants were invited to answer the question, "What prompts you to pray?" They suggested various things, but one of the participants said, "People." When I asked him to elaborate, he said that because he finds people challenging to deal with, and since they often break his heart, he frequently feels prompted to pray after interacting with others.

Isn't it interesting to consider that in this life, other people tend to be one of our greatest sources of joy while also being one of our greatest sources of pain? In a very real way, it's risky to interact with others. I'm sure we've all been tempted at times to avoid others because we're fearful of the pain they might cause us, but when we avoid them for too long, we start to realize that there can be even more pain in prolonged isolation.

The Christian life isn't a solitary life. Our union with Christ also unites us as one body with other Christians. Christ has shown His body great love, and reveals in His word that one of the most powerful ways people will come to know we're His followers is if we genuinely love one another.

"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Paul sincerely complimented the church at Thessalonica for their increasing love for one another. This must have been something they were making obvious in a variety of ways, and I'm sure it was having a spiritual impact on the unbelievers in their city as well. This demonstration of love between believers is the tool the Lord frequently uses to open unbelieving eyes to begin seeing the unconditional nature of His love for us.

The love Paul was praising the Thessalonians for showing wasn't just a warm affection between friends. It was the joyful and sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of others. Believers were meeting each others needs, protecting one another from persecution, and welcoming one another into their lives.

Love sounds wonderful right up to the point when you're asked to put it into practice. Love sounds ideal right up to the point when it's tested. How would you describe your love for your brothers and sisters in Christ right now? Is there a way the Lord encourages you to show love that you're currently resisting? What's holding it back from increasing more and more?

III. Is your steadfastness continuing?

“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.”

— 2 Thessalonians 1:4, ESV

Since becoming a Christian, and particularly since becoming a pastor, I always wondered if and when I would see the church experiencing genuine and overt forms of persecution in our country. There have certainly been some examples of that, but nothing on the scale of what I have been seeing in many foreign nations. But in recent days, I have been watching the selective treatment and overt threats churches have been receiving in certain cities and corners of our country, and it isn't pretty. I have read about a church building being burned down, believers being threatened with arrest for hosting small gatherings, and pastors being arrested or detained. And if I'm honest, I think this is only a taste of what's to come. I doubt this will be the only time I see this, or worse, on American soil during my lifetime. I hope I'm wrong.

The Thessalonian church that Paul addressed this letter to experienced this kind of threatening behavior from the first day it was founded. There were people in their wealthy city who wanted them removed, arrested, or executed. Their persecutors probably would have been content with any of the above options.

But a very interesting thing happens to the church when it's persecuted. It grows nice and big, and becomes particularly strong. Believers start to weigh what really matters to them in this life, and false brothers are quickly weeded out of the fellowship when the going gets tough. There are beautiful historical examples of this happening all throughout the world, and there are present day examples of this phenomenon that we can learn from as well. Persecution is terrible, but the Lord delights in taking what men mean for evil and bringing good out of it.

It should be noted that the Thessalonian Christians were so steadfast in the midst of their persecution that Paul began boasting about them to other churches in various places throughout the world. In their afflictions, they turned to Jesus and trusted Him to see them through. In their moments of persecution, they remembered that it was only for a season, and a glorious future in the presence of Christ awaited them.

Trials and tests show what a person is really made of. Don't despise your times of testing because the Lord will use them to bolster the depth of your faith, and put it on display for others to see. In His power, He will make you steadfast in your walk with Him. He will empower you not to adopt this world's way of thinking as your own, and He will build His church one person at a time no matter the opposition that comes against His people.

"I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18b)

As Paul opens his second letter to the Thessalonians, I appreciate the words he speaks. He's giving us a metric we can use to test our spiritual maturity. Is your faith growing? Is your love for others increasing? Is your steadfastness continuing? By the grace of Jesus, I pray that it is.

© John Stange, 2020