Day 349

What’s Done for Christ Will Last

Read: 2 Thessalonians

The belief of the Thessalonian Christians in the truth that Christ is coming again led them to false conclusions. In this letter, Paul reaffirms belief in the second coming but points out that it will not happen until after the powers of evil have manifested themselves for some time. Only then will victory come. It is difficult to know exactly what Paul is speaking about when he talks of “the lawless one” (2:8). Beware of those who think they have the only answer to such difficult questions. There have been great manifestations of evil throughout history and especially in our day. The point to emphasize is that the struggle will be over and the victory complete when our Lord returns. The truth should have practical results; in the light of the truth of the second coming, “may our Lord . . . comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word” (vv. 16-17).

A misunderstanding of some of the Thessalonian Christians was that since Christ was coming soon, they might as well quit their jobs and wait in laziness. Paul says the opposite should be true. Let them work while they wait. The fact that Christ may come soon should cause us to labor diligently.

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

PRAYER
Father, not knowing how much time we have left, help us to work hard in spreading the gospel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.