STAND FIRM ON GOD’S WORD
- Key Verse
- So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
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Central Truth
If we want to stand firm in our faith and have confidence in God’s promises, we must study God’s word and apply it to our lives.
Reflections
Earlier in Chapter 2, we learned that the believers in Thessalonica were worried that the rapture had already occurred and that they were in the tribulation. Paul assures them that they have not been “left behind”. He goes on to give them additional information about the Antichrist and the second coming of Christ.
How do we know these things for ourselves? There’s only one way - study God’s word and apply it to our lives. There’s an old saying that "the best inspiration always comes with a little perspiration." Bible study should not be taken casually. An in-depth understanding of the Bible requires discipline and work. Fortunately for me, it does not require a lot of intellect. God has promised that the Holy Spirit will be our teacher and that He will give wisdom to all who ask.
The first verse in today’s passage is particularly challenging. If God chose me to be saved, where does my part come in? What about free will? The best way to interpret scripture is additional scripture. Romans 8:29 tells us that those God foreknew, He also predestined. Wow! How amazing is that! Before the beginning of time, God knew that I would accept His free gift of salvation.
Verse 16 gives us another great reason to study God’s word - eternal encouragement and good hope. We all could use more of that. God has given the promise that we will be encouraged and strengthened in every good word and deed. That’s the application part; we can’t apply God’s word to our lives if we don’t know God’s word.The best advice that I ever received was to set my alarm clock in order to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning. There’s no better way to start the day, and the benefits are eternal.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you study God’s word for yourself or do you rely on your pastor and others to tell you what it says and means? Why?
2. Have you set aside a certain time every day to study the Bible and pray? If not, will you consider doing that this week?
3. What do you think about the fact that God knew before the beginning of time who would accept and who would reject His offer of salvation?
Gary Brandenburg
April 5, 2010 09:25 AM
Thanks for your "love of the truth" Bruce (2 Thes. 2:10) and for being a living demonstration of Paul's prayer, "May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word."
Mike Heinz
April 5, 2010 10:42 AM
Thanks Bruce! I like the alarm clock tip. May God bless you in your study of God's word.
David
April 6, 2010 07:22 PM
Your absoultely right! My days are always better when I start with the word of God. I'm still a newborn when it comes to reading the Bible, so I really appriciate the advice about, interpreting scripture with additional scripture. Thanks for the tip Bruce!