What It Means To Be Loved By Jesus Christ

But we are bound to give thanks

to God for you, brethren beloved

of the Lord, because God hath

from the beginning chosen you

to salvation through sanctification

of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 

whereunto He called you by our gospel,

to the obtaining of the glory of our

Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren,

stand fast, and hold the traditions 

which whether by word, or our epistle.

2Thessalonians 2:13-15

    

     God from the beginning chose to save and the Thessalonians Christians were those God had chosen to save for they were beloved by the Lord Jesus Christ. This is true of any Authentic Christian, they are loved by the Lord Jesus Christ and that love was manifested on the cross where He took the sin of the world on Himself and then by this propitiatory sacrifice presented this to the Father and by this presentation of a once for all time finished work by Jesus applies that sacrifice to those who believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, and to allow the Holy Spirit to Sanctify them as God has applied Sanctification to a true Authentic believer in Jesus Christ. You are sanctified, but in this life that sanctification of God has yet to be completely fulfilled and that will not occur until Jesus comes again and you are before the throne of God. God calls, God enables, and as Paul wrote to the Romans: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Paul here once again reinstates this fact that by the glad tidings (this is a literal translation of the Greek word), you are called, and this calling is to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Think upon this; you can obtain glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and this glory is evident in your pragmatic exercise of true Authentic Christian Faith. You are to hold fast to the traditions that were taught from the beginning of the Christian church by the Apostles and inspired writers of the Bible. You see Paul did not leave this to some conjecture, the good news is by verbal instruction or by and epistle, a letter written by those God chose to write what He wants taught to His Children. The Greek word for "he called" you is aorist, that is something that had occurred and speaks to one being invited, to be called to perform a certain thing, called to the privileges of the Gospel. Christianity is not some apathetic religion, you are called to be active in service to the Lord, to God who came to save you, and to sanctify you. 

     "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself,and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work" (2Thessalonians 2:16-17). In days such as we are presently in, days that see sin being given validity, we may become discouraged, but don't for you have everlasting life, secure in Jesus Christ, by consoled, nothing man can do to you can take you out of the hand of Jesus. Speak the truth, even if it is not popular, even if you are ridiculed, and work for the Lord, this is your calling, this is your responsibility, do not shrink back God loves you and you have a hope through the grace of God that you will live eternally. Who can take that away from you? NO ONE!

When the righteous are in authority,

    the people rejoice: but when the

wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

                      Proverbs 29:2

Be a diligent Christian

Richard L. Crumb