2 Thessalonians Series: Living for Christ's Glory (2 Thess 1:10-12)

Living for Christ’s Glory

…when he comes to be glorified among his saints and admired on that day among all who have believed—and you did in fact believe our testimony. And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith, 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 1:10–12 (NET)

How can we live for Christ’s glory—seeking to glorify him in everything we do? In this passage, Paul was concerned with Christ’s being glorified through the Thessalonians both in the future when Christ comes and in that present day. We can see this by the fact that Christ being glorified is written about twice in 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12. In verse 10, Paul talked about Christ being “glorified among his saints” and admired by all who believe at his coming. Then in verse 12, he talked about Christ’s name being “glorified in” them as they walk worthy of their calling. By bracketing this passage with the glorification of Christ, Paul made an inclusio. An inclusio is a literary device where similar statements are given at the beginning and end of a text for emphasis. It means that everything in between is concerned with that statement or theme. A great example of this is Psalm 8 where the beginning and last verse say, “O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!” This means everything in between those verses explains how magnificent God is (v. 1, 9). Also, in the beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-10, verses 3 and 10 end with “for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” This means all eight characteristics in verses 3-10 belong to those who are part of God’s kingdom. Likewise, in 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12, Paul is dealing with the theme of Christ being glorified in his people. For Paul, the fact that Christ will be glorified in believers at his return (v. 10) motivated him to pray for that to happen presently, as the Thessalonians walked worthy of their calling and completed various good works through God’s power (v. 11-12).

As background for Paul’s prayer, the Thessalonians were being severely persecuted for their faith and therefore tempted to fall away from Christ or compromise their Christian walk. Because of this, Paul earnestly prayed for them that Christ be glorified in their circumstances, even as Christ would be glorified in them as his coming. Therefore, through Paul’s prayer, we learn principles about glorifying Christ in our lives as well. How can we live for Christ’s glory in a self-centered world?

Big Question: What principles about living for Christ’s glory can we learn from 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12?

To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Be Prayerful

when he comes to be glorified among his saints and admired on that day among all who have believed—and you did in fact believe our testimony. And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him…

2 Thessalonians 1:10-12

As mentioned, for the Thessalonians to glorify Christ both in the present and future, Paul earnestly prayed for them. When he says, “And in this regard we pray for you always” (v. 11), it connects the future glorification of Christ at his return (v. 10) with Paul’s prayers for the Thessalonians to presently glorify Christ through their good works (v. 11-12). Consequently, if we are going to glorify Christ through our lives and help him be glorified in the lives of others, we must also be faithful in prayer. One of the primary ways that God sanctifies believers and glorifies Christ through them is through the prayers of his saints. This is clearly seen in the Lord’s Prayer, which is to be our prayer pattern. The first petition is, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matt 6:9 NIV). This is a prayer for God to be worshiped, honored, and obeyed throughout the world. When we pray in line with this petition, we should pray for people to gather to worship Christ, pray, study the Bible, and serve him. We should pray for revivals to break out, churches to be planted, and people to come to know the Lord. Though God has decreed that the Godhead will ultimately be glorified throughout eternity, we are to pray for that reality to happen now and in the future, even as Paul did (2 Thess 1:10-12). God uses our prayers to accomplish his sovereign will. For that reason, we must faithfully pray for Christ to be glorified in us, and through our friends, family, churches, and nations.

Application Question: How can we better glorify Christ through faithful prayer?

1. To glorify Christ through faithful prayer, our prayers must be inspired and informed by Scripture.

Again, it is very clear Paul prayed based on the Scriptural truths that he taught the Thessalonians. He taught them about Christ’s coming and how Christ would be glorified in them (v. 10). This may, in part, refer to the saints’ glorification, as we will have new bodies, but it also refers to believers worshipping Christ and being like him at his coming. This prophetic Scriptural truth motivated him to pray for it’s reality in the Thessalonians’ lives. Likewise, Scripture should inspire and inform our prayers as well.

Praying Scripture is very important because we are naturally wired to be consumed with ourselves and our desires alone, instead of God’s, even when praying. This is why God gives us the Lord’s Prayer as a model for praying. The Lord’s Prayer can be divided into two categories, God’s desires in the first petitions (his name and kingdom) and then our desires (our daily bread, forgiveness, and deliverance). Christ teaches us to pray that way because as a default, we’re naturally consumed with our desires instead of God’s and others’. We’ll rush into prayer with personal concerns and worries and leave prayer without considering God’s concerns as revealed in Scripture. This is why it’s a good discipline to pray the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer and Scripture in general. Throughout Paul’s writings, it was not uncommon for him to break into prayer and praise right after teaching some doctrinal truth. In Romans 11, after writing about the hardening of Israel’s hearts and their salvation at Christ’s coming, Paul broke out into praise. In Romans 11:33, he declared, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how unfathomable his ways!” Scripture led him to worship and prayer. Likewise, when Christ was on the cross unjustly, he cried out Scriptural prayers. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me” is Psalm 22:1, and “Into your hands I commit my spirit” is Psalm 31:5 (NIV).

Are we allowing Scripture to inspire and inform our prayers? As mentioned, it’s a tremendous way to deliver us from selfish hearts—consumed with our problems, trials, and desires—and give us God-centered hearts—consumed with God’s glory. Like Paul and Christ, we must allow Scripture to inspire and inform our prayer lives, so we can seek to glorify Christ in our lives, community, and world. Are we studying and praying Scripture?

2. To glorify Christ through faithful prayer, our prayers must be constant.

In verse 11, Paul said he “always” prayed this way for them. It was his daily bread to pray for the Thessalonians to glorify Christ, and not only them but all the churches. In his letters, he mentioned how he constantly prayed for the Colossians (Col 1:3, 9), the Philippians (Phil 1:4), the Romans (Rom 1:9-10), and others. He also taught believers that they should constantly pray. For example, consider the following verses:

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:17–18

With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and petitions for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:18

Likewise, if we are going to glorify Christ in everything we do, we must learn how to pray in everything we do, at all times, and for all the saints. We must pray when we wake up, when we go to sleep, while we eat, while we walk, while we work, when we receive bad news, when we receive good news, and even when we have nothing to do. We must learn how to pray in everything so we can glorify Christ and help others do so. When we do this, it brings God’s power into our daily lives, our communities, and the world around us. Are we praying in every situation or only sparingly?

3. To glorify Christ through faithful prayer, our prayers must prioritize the spiritual and eternal instead of the physical and temporary.

We see this clearly in Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians. Though the Thessalonians were being severely persecuted and some had even died (1 Thess 4:13), in his prayers for them in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, he never prayed for the persecution to stop. I don’t doubt that he at times prayed that way. In the Lord’s Prayer, we are called to pray to be delivered from temptation and the evil one (or evil; Matt 6:12). However, in Paul’s writing to the Thessalonians, he mentions prayer at least fourteen times, and in all of them, he never prayed for their deliverance from the persecution but instead their sanctification through it. For example, here are a few:

We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith. Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 3:10–13

Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith, 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

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Now may the Lord direct your hearts toward the love of God and the endurance of Christ.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

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

2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Now, certainly, we should pray for physical and temporary things like healing, reconciliation, financial needs, deliverance from trials, etc. (cf. Jam 5:14-15). That’s, in part, what “give us our daily bread” and “deliver us from evil” refer to in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13). However, as demonstrated by the majority of prayers in the New Testament, especially by Paul, our focus should be spiritual and eternal things which will bring the most glory to God because they will last forever, such as the salvation of souls and the sanctification of God’s saints. That’s how Paul petitioned when he prayed for the suffering saints in Thessalonica, and we should do the same.

If we are going to glorify Christ in our lives, we must be people of prayer. Our prayers must be inspired and informed by Scripture, constant, and prioritize spiritual and eternal needs. Are we praying for Christ to be glorified in our lives, families, churches, and nations? Father, hallowed by your name!

Application Question: Why is being constant in prayer difficult? In what ways does constant prayer help us bring glory to Christ? What are some disciplines to help us be constant in prayer? Why is it important to prioritize the spiritual and eternal over the physical and temporary in our prayer life? How is God calling you to grow in your prayer life and to focus on praying for his glorification as in the Lord’s Prayer (cf. Mat 6:9)?

To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Live in a Manner Worthy of Our Calling

And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith,

2 Thessalonians 1:11

When Paul refers to God making the Thessalonians “worthy” of God’s calling (v. 11), he is not referring to them adding anything to their salvation or being made acceptable to God by their good works. Everything was done by Christ so that believers can be accepted by God. He lived the perfect life we could never live and died on the cross for our sins. God accepted Christ’s work and declared us forgiven and righteous because of it. Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God.”

However, though we cannot contribute to our salvation in the sense of being made worthy of it, we can be made worthy in the sense of living in a manner that reflects what Christ did for us. The Greek root of “worthy” is axios. The word has the sense of weighing or balancing something on a scale—what’s on one side matches what is on the other. It is equal in weight. That’s what Paul is referring to. He is referring to the Thessalonians seeking to live up to what God did for them and called them for in salvation. In fact, it was a concept Paul referred to often when writing various churches. With the Philippians, he said this in Philippians 1:27:

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,

In Ephesians 4:1-3, Paul said:

I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace

And in Colossians 1:9-10, he prayed for the Colossians to live in a worthy manner of the Lord, just like he did with the Thessalonians. He said:

For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you, have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects—bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God,

He even described his ministry to the Thessalonians earlier in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 as, “exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.” For the Thessalonians to walk worthy of the Lord means that when Christ returns, he will say to them (and us), “Well done good and faithful servant!” (Matt 25:21, 23). That should be our motivation as we await the Lord’s coming or our going to him.

When Paul says, “that our God will make you worthy of his calling” (2 Thess 1:11), “calling” refers to the Thessalonians divine call to salvation, holiness, and specific good works. Romans 8:29-30 says this about believers:

because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Though a mystery, Scripture teaches that before time God predestined believers to be his children and made into Christ’s image. Then in time, they were called, meaning they heard the gospel, God drew them through it, and they responded. When they responded, God justified them, meaning he made them just as though they never sinned. Then when Christ returns, he will glorify them, meaning they will have glorified bodies just like Christ and be perfect in every way. God calls us to salvation, holiness (where we look like the Son) and specific good works. First Thessalonians 4:7 says, “For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.” Also, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.” God called us in a salvific way not just for heaven and a relationship with him but also to be holy and to do good works. Therefore, to walk worthy of our calling, we must continue to strive to be like Christ in every way and complete the good works God has called us to.

Application Question: How do we walk worthy of the Lord’s calling practically (especially as demonstrated in the context)?

1. To walk worthy of the Lord’s calling, we must be faithful in suffering and trials.

In 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5, Paul said:

As a result we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you are enduring. This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment, to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which in fact you are suffering.

As the Thessalonians faithfully endured suffering, God made them worthy of the kingdom, the same thing he prayed for later in verse 11. God commonly makes believers worthy of their calling by developing their character through suffering. Romans 5:3-4 says this: “Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope.” Likewise, James 1:2-4 says something similar:

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

Hebrews 12:7-8, and verse 11 says it this way:

Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons…Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

The writer of Hebrews doesn’t distinguish between suffering that happens because of our sin, the sins of others, or even Satan. He says we should endure all suffering as discipline from God—meaning his training to make us holy. As we faithfully endure, it brings the fruit of peace in our heart (as we trust God more) and righteousness in our character.

For our trials to make us worthy of God’s kingdom in the sense of character development (2 Thess 1:5), we must be careful to not sin while experiencing them. We should be careful to not complain in them, fight with others, or get mad at God. We must be careful to not turn to idols—things that take our focus and affection away from God. While Israel was in the wilderness, during their trial, as they waited for God to take them to the promised land, they turned to many of these vices and were consequently disciplined by God. First Corinthians 10:6-10 says this:

These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did. So do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” And let us not be immoral, as some of them were, and 23,000 died in a single day. And let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes. And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

Are we suffering faithfully? Are we rejoicing in it (Jam 1:2, Rom 5:3) or getting angry at God and others? Are we persevering in it by drawing near God, or are we emotionally quitting, turning to sin and away from God’s Word and church? We must let trials do their perfect work in us, so we can be made mature and worthy of the great calling on our lives (Jam 1:4, 2 Thess 1:10).

2. To walk worthy of the Lord’s calling, we must be empowered by him.

Paul not only prays for the Thessalonians to walk worthy of the Lord but that they would do it through the Lord’s power. In verse 11, he prays for God to “fulfill by his power” their “every desire for goodness and every work of faith.” This means when we are not walking in God’s power, we are not walking worthy of our calling. When Christ saved us, he gave us his Spirit to empower us to live for God, including conquering sin and completing the works he called us to. We cannot conquer lust, anger, insecurity, anxiety, depression, or any other work of the flesh or the devil that seeks to hinder God’s call on our lives apart from God’s power. To walk in our own empowerment will lead to failure. In fact, God will commonly allow us to fail many times to teach us to not rely on ourselves but on him and his empowerment. In John 15:5, Christ said it this way: “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” Without him, we can do nothing acceptable to God. With Timothy who was called to pastor the church of Ephesus and yet struggled with fear, Paul said this to him in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Likewise, God has given us his power to conquer sin and serve him; however, we must access it.

Application Question: How do we access God’s power, so we can conquer sin and complete the works God has called us to do?

• To be empowered by God, we must understand the great power available to us.

This only seems logical; however, apparently this is a common problem for believers. In fact, Paul prayed for the Asian believers in Ephesus to know both the hope of their calling and the great power available to complete it. In Ephesians 1:17-20 (NIV), he prayed:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

The implication is that the Ephesians did not know the hope of their great calling and were not walking in the power to complete it. They were probably being conquered by sin, the flesh, and the devil. No doubt, that’s why in Ephesians 6:10-11 he called for them to “be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power” and to put on the “full armor of God” so that they would “be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Likewise, many of us are unaware of the great power available to us for our situations, the same power that rose Christ from the dead and seated him in the heavenly realms. It is available to equip us to conquer sin and the devil and walk in righteousness. Consequently, like Paul, we should pray for wisdom and revelation to understand it and for others to know it as well.

What else do we need to be empowered by God?

• To be empowered by God, we must have faith in God and his Word.

Throughout the Gospels, Christ constantly challenged his disciples to have faith. They needed faith to do the seemingly impossible things God called them to, including making disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19-20). When they could not cast out a demon, he said this in Matthew 17:20, “…I tell you the truth, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you.” Christ previously gave them power to cast out demons and conquer all the devil’s works. In Luke 10:19, Christ said this to his disciples: “Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.” In fact, Christ said this after they had returned from casting out demons and boasting about the authority in his name (Luke 10:17). However, later, when approached to cast a demon out of a child that was causing him to seizure and attempt suicide (Matt 17:14), they couldn’t cast him out. Why? Christ said one of the reasons was that they lacked faith. They were doubting Christ’s promise to them—maybe because of how difficult the child’s case was. God had indeed given them power over all the works of the devil, but they struggled to believe. That’s why Christ exhorted them to have faith (Matt 17:20).

Likewise, we struggle to believe God when it comes to conquering sin in our lives, which Christ has empowered us to defeat. Romans 6 says we died with Christ on the cross to sin, so it would no longer have power over us, and that we were resurrected with him to live a new life (v. 1-6). God gives us promises in Scripture so we can take hold of them, fight sin, and grab hold of righteousness. Even when we fall to temptation, we should get back up and stand on God’s promises until they come to fruition. In referring to our defeat of sin in Christ, Paul said this in Romans 6:11-12: “So you too consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.” We must have faith in this promise and battle based on its reality.

As for another promise we must believe and battle from, Philippians 4:6-7 says this about battling anxiety and fear:

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

As we choose to reject anxiety and live in prayer, including bringing our petitions to God and giving him thanks in everything, God promises to give us his peace. However, we must in faith grab hold of that promise. When it comes to having wisdom to make decisions in life, especially when going through trials, James 1:5 says, “But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him.” Furthermore, when it comes to having our daily needs met, including our food, drink, and clothing, Matthew 6:33 says, “But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” As we pursue God and seek to spread his kingdom, he promises to meet our needs (cf. Phil 4:19). The promises in Scripture are legion, and we must put our faith in them to receive them. Some promises in Scripture are unconditional such as “I’ll never leave you and I will never abandon you” (Heb 13:5), but others are conditional, based on our faith and obedience.

With that said, some things Scripture does not promise. He does not promise that all our friends and relatives will come to Christ. We must pray, witness, and trust God’s character and sovereignty. He does not promise that we’ll always be healed. It’s God’s will for people to eventually die and then enter into eternity. Hebrews 9:27 says, “people are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment.” Also, he commonly uses trials, including sickness to perfect our character (Jam 1:2-4). We pray, get medical help, and trust God with sicknesses. Many people get angry at God because they thought he was going to do something that is not confirmed in his Word. Certainly, God can give us impressions (and sometimes prophecies), but we must test those and hold them lightly, since we cannot fully confirm them until they come true (cf. 1 John 4:1). One of the ways Israel was called to test prophets was by seeing if what they said came true. Deuteronomy 18:22 says, “whenever a prophet speaks in my name and the prediction is not fulfilled, then I have not spoken it; the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him.” Likewise our impressions or “prophetic words” from others must be held with an open hand until God confirms their validity through them coming to pass.

If we are going to be empowered so we can walk worthy of our calling to salvation, we must put our faith in God’s Word, including his promises. When we do so, God empowers us. He blesses those with faith. Hebrews 11 is a whole chapter about people empowered to do God’s will through faith, including doing great acts and persevering through great suffering. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” To be empowered by God, we must put our faith in his sure Word. God empowers and blesses those who do.

• To be empowered by God, we must be righteous and prayerful.

James 5:16-17 says, “…The prayer of a righteous person has great effectiveness. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and there was no rain on the land for three years and six months!” It was the fact that Elijah was both righteous and prayerful that led to a great move from God. The implication from James is that sin hinders the effectiveness of our prayers. We see this directly in Psalm 66:18. In it, the Psalmist said, “If I had harbored sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

In addition, though not talking about prayer specifically, Philippians 4:8-9 also describes the power in the life of a righteous person. In it, Paul says,

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

By controlling our thought life to think on only what is righteous and pure, and therefore rejecting evil by choosing to not listen to, watch, or talk about evil, as propagated through much of our entertainment and media today, and by choosing to practice only righteousness, Paul says that the God of peace will be with us. When Paul refers to the God of peace being with us, he is not just talking about God’s manifest presence in our lives. This also refers to God’s blessing and empowerment. We see this commonly described in the Old Testament. Genesis 39:1-2 says this about Joseph: “The Lord was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.” First Samuel 18:14 says this about David, “Now David achieved success in all he did, for the Lord was with him.” It’s also used this way with Joshua. Joshua 1:5 says, “No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone.” In the same way that God protected and used Moses, God would do the same with Joshua. God would be with him!

Consequently, when a person is choosing to reject the ungodly worldviews and entertainment of the world, to think on and practice righteousness as Philippians 4:8-9 says, the God of righteousness and peace is with them. God will be with them to empower them for his purposes.

This is a challenging reality to consider. Statistics say that the media that Christians watch and listen to are virtually the same as the world. This means that most Christians lack God’s manifest presence and power in their lives. This is part of the reason it’s so hard for them to conquer sin and be the light God has called them to be. They can’t walk worthy of their calling because they lack righteousness that brings power.

Are we rejecting evil and thinking on and practicing righteousness? There is power in a righteous, prayerful life.

How else can we be empowered by God?

• To be empowered by God, we must have an abiding relationship with the Lord, instead of an occasional one.

John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.” Also, Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.” The main verbs in these two passages are “remain,” which can be translated as “abide” in John 15:5, and “live,” which can be translated “walk” in Galatians 5:16. To abide means to be at home in or reside with. A person who is abiding in Christ and living in the Spirit is a person who is living in the Word, prayer, worship, service, obedience, and fellowship with God and others, and because they do so, there is a power in their lives, power to conquer the flesh and do what’s righteous. The problem with many saints is that they are visitors instead of abiders. They may read the Word of God today or might not. They may go to church on Sunday or not. They commonly love the world which hinders their relationship with God and his power flowing through them. In Galatians 5:16, when the word “live” or “walk” is used, it has the same connotation as abide. It refers to moment-by-moment dependence on God and obedience to him. In fact, the verb “walk” was used of Enoch and Noah (Genesis 5:24, 6:9) who God especially used because of their intimacy with him. To walk with God throughout the Old Testament referred to a very intimate relationship with God. If we are going to have power in our lives, we must abide and walk moment by moment with God.

Are we abiding in Christ and daily walking in the Spirit, or are we abiding in the things of the world and walking in our flesh? If we are not abiding in Christ and walking in the Spirit, we are not walking worthy of our calling. God called us to salvation and holiness and has given us the power to do so; however, we must access it. Are we walking in God’s power?

• To be empowered by God, we must rely on God in our weakness and times of weakness.

According to 2 Corinthians 12, Paul prayed for God to take away his thorn in the flesh, possibly some type of demonically inspired disease, and God responded. Second Corinthians 12:9-10 says:

But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

When God denied Paul’s request for his thorn to be taken away, the reason was because God was using the trial to make him weak and empower him. Because of this reality, Paul began to boast in his trials and be content in them. Instead of boasting in our trials and weaknesses, we commonly complain about them, doubt God and his ability to use us, and sometimes even quit whatever God has called us to do or persevere through. Obviously, our lack of trust in God when going through difficult circumstances is a common hindrance to him being able to use us. As mentioned earlier, God uses trials to sanctify us—to get rid of sin in our lives—but he also uses it to empower us for righteousness. When God was going to use Moses, he took him from being a prince in Egypt and made him a poor shepherd who lived in the wilderness for forty years. That forty years, no doubt, was a sanctifying, humbling time where God prepared Moses to be somebody he could empower for great works, including miracles. When God was going to use Joseph, he allowed him to be a slave and a prisoner for thirteen years before he exalted him to second in command over Egypt, so he could save many lives, including his family. God gave him great wisdom and even the ability to interpret dreams. Even with God’s own Son, when it was time for Christ to start his ministry, God first sent him into the wilderness for forty days to be tempted by Satan. After being tempted, Luke tells us he left the wilderness empowered by the Spirit and then began his ministry. Luke 4:14-15 says, “Then Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the surrounding countryside. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by all.” His preaching and miracles began after a season of weakness, while fasting and being tempted in the wilderness. However, after, he left with power. God often does the same with us through our wilderness seasons.

Are we trusting God’s purpose in our trials and weaknesses, so we can be empowered for greater works? John 15:2 says, “He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.” Every branch that bears fruit, he cuts at, which causes pain. Typically, he cuts at places closest to our heart, like our family, career, dreams, or health. He cuts at our heart to remove anything crowding out or hindering our attachment to the vine. He wants us to be closer to him, more like him, and more empowered by him for fruit-bearing.

To be empowered by God, we must know the power available to us, have faith in his Word, be righteous and prayerful, have a close relationship with the Lord, and rely on him in our weakness and seasons of weakness. Apart from God’s power, we cannot walk worthy of his calling on our lives.

How else can we walk worthy of the Lord?

3. To walk worthy of the Lord’s calling, we must cultivate and walk in the desires for holiness and good works he has called us to.

In verse 11, Paul prayed that God will make them worthy of his calling “and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith.” As mentioned, God did not just call us to salvation and holiness but also to specific good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 says it this way:

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

Before time, God planned specific works for each of us to do. We see this clearly with Jeremiah. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” Likewise, this was true of Paul and his calling to apostleship through Ananias. Acts 9:15-16 says,

But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Unlike Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet, the text doesn’t say Paul was called before he was born; however, it clearly indicates that Paul was called to apostleship before he was even a Christian. This is true for every believer. It’s a mystery that Scripture teaches. God called us to salvation before time. Ephesians 1:4 says, “For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love.” However, he did not just choose us for salvation but specifically for certain good works (cf. Eph 2:10, Ps 139:16). As mentioned, Jeremiah was called to be a prophet to not only Israel but also the nations. Paul was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles and specifically to suffer a great deal for Christ’s name. Likewise, God has called some to be lights in the education realm, business, the military, or government. He has called many of us, as he did with Hannah, Jochebed, Elizabeth, and Mary to raise godly children who he can use greatly for his kingdom. And God has given each of us gifts to use within local congregations he has called us to attend, serve, and partner with to reach the world and disciple believers (cf. 1 Cor 12).

Application Question: How do we discern the specific good works God has called us to?

• We discern the specific good works God has called us to by seeking him and as we do, he gives us persistent holy desires.

Again, in 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Paul prayed, “that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith.” As we pursue God, he puts desires for good deeds and works of faith in our hearts. Philippians 2:13 says it this way: “for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.” As we’re walking in the Lord, he brings forth in us holy desires or affections, including things like reading God’s Word more, praying more, developing deeper relationships with believers, attending church, and sharing the gospel with others. These are general desires God wants to give every believer as we walk with him. We know this because God’s Word teaches us so. However, as we are faithful to God’s general will for our lives, he often makes his specific will known to us in our hearts and through others. Psalm 25:14 says, “The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance, and he reveals his covenantal demands to them.” Psalm 25:14 can also be translated, “The Lord confides in those who fear him,” as in the NIV. When we fear the Lord, meaning worshipping and obeying him, he makes his guidance known to us. Or we can say, as we obey God’s general will as found in Scripture, God makes his specific will known to us. Many can’t properly discern God’s specific will because they are not faithful to God’s general will, such as studying his Word, obeying it, and praying it.

Another way Scripture teaches this truth is through Psalm 37:4 (ESV): “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” This verse doesn’t mean that if we delight ourselves in the Lord, that we’ll get our selfish desires. This means as we make knowing and obeying God our joy, his desires will become our desires. We’ll desire his general will, like studying his Word, going to church, worshiping him, and serving others, but also, he will put specific desires in our hearts and fulfill them. Matthew 5:6 says it this way: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” It’s a promise, as we become desperately hungry to do God’s will, he will begin to satisfy that hunger—winning the lost, discipling believers, caring for the poor and broken, etc.

We’ll be able to discern the specific works God has called us to, in part, by the fact that those desires are consistent and confirmed by other godly people. Our fleshly desires will come and go, but God’s calling for us will be planted in our hearts and stay, as we are faithful to God. When we are living in sin, we will doubt God’s call and maybe even run from it like Jonah. However, as with Jonah, God will keep coming after us to do his specific will.

• We discern the specific good works God has called us to by the giftings and open doors he gives us.

We can have desires for various good works, but if God has not gifted us in those areas, as affirmed by others, and opened doors to serve in that capacity, then God has probably not given us those desires (or called us to them in the way we may think). Again the prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1:11 is “that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith.” The word “fulfill” means to complete or accomplish. If God has called us to something, he will give us the desire, ability, and open door to do it. Again, Philippians 2:13 says, “for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.” God gives us “the effort” or ability to do his calling. With Moses, God called him to lead Israel and set them free from slavery, but he also gave him miracle-working power and Aaron to help in what he felt was a weakness, his communication ability. God will do the same with us. If we feel called to sing professionally, but we can’t hold a tune and nobody has ever affirmed those abilities in us, then most likely God has not called us to serve in that arena.

Because of this reality, we should ask ourselves, “What areas has God gifted us in?” and “How has God opened doors for us to cultivate those gifts or called us to pursue cultivating them?”

• We discern the specific good works God has called us to by the fact they will align with Scripture.

Again, this is clear from 2 Thessalonians 1:11. The desires are “for goodness” and works “of faith.” Therefore, God will never call you to do something that conflicts with God’s Word. This is important because our hearts are deceitful above all else (Jer 17:9). Unchecked, our hearts will lead us away from God and his Word. For example, God will never call one to date or marry an unbeliever because this would conflict with God’s Word. Second Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” God will never call one to have sex before marriage, no matter how much “peace” he or she has about it. First Corinthians 6:18 says, “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”

What types of desires for good works has God given us? What are our gifts, including what do we enjoy doing for others? How can those be used to serve God and build his kingdom? As we prayerfully answer those questions, and God affirms those answers through others, we start to discern how God wants to use us. To cultivate those desires or discern if they are real, God may call us to take steps of faith by getting involved in a ministry or organization where we test those desires and cultivate our gifts by serving in some capacity (including going on a mission trip) or getting further education and training. Certainly, throughout all, we must stay close to God, so he can guide us and fulfill the good works which he prepared before time for us to accomplish (Eph 2:10).

How can we walk worthy of the Lord’s calling to salvation and holiness, as Paul prayed and desired for the Thessalonians (2 Thess 1:11)? (1) To walk worthy of the Lord’s calling, we must be faithful in suffering. Suffering and trials are how God sanctifies us and makes us look like Christ. We shouldn’t get mad at God or others; we should draw near him so he can make us into image. (2) To walk worthy of the Lord’s calling, we must be empowered by him. He empowers us as we recognize the power available to us, have faith in his Word and character, live a righteous, prayerful life, and rely on him in trials. (3) Finally, to walk worthy of the Lord’s calling, we must cultivate the desires for good that God gives us. God has called all of us to general good works, as described in his Word (being a faithful member of God’s church, serving one another, evangelizing, etc.), but he also planned specific works for each of us. As we walk with him, he gives us those desires, empowers us, and opens doors for us to complete those good works. If we walk worthy of our calling, on the day of Christ’s coming, we will hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21 NIV). May that be true of all of us as we seek to walk worthy of our callings.

Application Question: What principle about walking worthy of the Lord’s calling stood out most and why? In what ways has God used trials to better develop your character and trust in God? Why is having God’s power important for walking worthy of the Lord’s calling? How is God calling you to better cultivate or rely on his empowerment in your life? In what ways has God gifted you both naturally and spiritually? What are some desires for good in your heart that God has already brought to fruition, at least partially? What are some desires for good that you are still testing and possibly preparing for? Why is it important for us to receive the affirmation of others when it comes to our gifts and callings? What is the proper balance of recognizing the importance of others’ affirmation and not being hindered by their affirmation or lack of it in accomplishing God’s will?

To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Make His Glory Our Primary Goal

that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him…

2 Thessalonians 1:12

Again, Paul prayed for the Thessalonians to live worthy of their calling, including God empowering them for good works, so that the name of the Lord would be glorified in them. In the ancient world, a name did not just refer to what one was called but to his character and person. For example, when we pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matt 6:9 NIV), we are praying for people throughout the world to know God’s person and character and worship him and honor him through their works. Likewise, if we are going to live in such a way that the “name of our Lord Jesus” is glorified, we must make it our primary goal in life and the way we test everything we do. To do this, the Protestant reformers coined the Latin phrase “soli deo gloria,” which means “to the glory of God alone.” For them, it meant that everything one does should be for God’s glory and not our own. Certainly, we see this priority taught in many Scripture passages:

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven

Matthew 5:16

Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

When considering someone for dating and marriage, a person should ask, “Can I honor God in this relationship? Will we be able to bring maximum glory to God?” When considering a job, we should ask, “Can I honor God in this job by using my gifts and being a light to others? Will it allow me to still be faithful to my family and church whom God has called me to prioritize?” When considering our effort in various pursuits including school, work, ministry, and family duties, we must ask, “Am I doing my best so I can glorify Christ?” To live to glorify Christ means we must make this our aim in everything and how we test the worthiness of various pursuits.

This may seem basic, but there are many other competing reasons for why we do things. As mentioned, we often do things to glorify ourselves, so others may see and approve of us. That was the goal of the Pharisees in much of their ministry. In Matthew 6:1, Christ said, “Be careful not to display your righteousness merely to be seen by people. Otherwise you have no reward with your Father in heaven.” Making a lot of money is also a common goal that keeps many from seeking to glorify Christ. Matthew 6:24 says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Others put the esteem of others over seeking to please God and bring him glory. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of people becomes a snare but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.”

We must always test the reason we do things. Many parents want their children to go to top schools and get highly valued jobs in the world primarily for their own sake, so they will look good instead of focusing on God’s call and glory. However, when God sent his Son into the world, he chose to have him raised in a poor family, in the ghetto (Galilee) which would have offered weak educational opportunities, and have him work a manual labor job, which was looked down up in the greco-roman world. Many of our values do not align with God’s values. Bringing God glory means us and others doing the specific things he wants us to do, with the right heart, and oftentimes those things will conflict with worldly values. As seen with Christ, it may mean being mocked, hated, and put to death by the world, and yet it will bring maximum glory to God because of our sacrificial obedience. Is bringing glory to Christ our goal in all we do, including our eating, drinking, and everything else (cf. 1 Cor 10:31)?

Christ’s Shared Glory

With that said, the great mystery of serving to glorify Christ is the fact that he will share his glory with us. Consider 2 Thessalonians 1:12 again, “that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him.” When Christ is glorified, he will share it with believers, both in this life and the life to come. We see this taught in various passages: In John 17:22, when Christ prayed to God before he went to the cross, he declared that he would share his glory with his followers. He said, “The glory you gave to me I have given to them, that they may be one just as we are one.” Romans 8:17 says this about believers being children and heirs of God, “And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ)—if indeed we suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him.” In 2 Thessalonians 2:14, Paul said it this way: “He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Likewise, 1 Samuel 2:30 says, “For I will honor those who honor me,” and John 12:26 says, “If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” This ultimately happens at Christ’s coming when we have glorified bodies like him, will be rewarded by him, and will rule him. However, it also happens today at times. Mark 10:29-30 says,

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times as much—homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, fields, all with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

God will commonly honor us by giving us spiritual family—new mothers, brothers, and sisters who will open their homes to us and show us great acts of kindness. Sometimes, this honor will come in simple ways like thanksgiving and respect from others for our faithful service. Other times, God may honor us by meeting our needs in a special way. He promised in 2 Corinthians 9:6 that “the person who sows generously will also reap generously.” God will generously bless those who faithfully serve him. God also commonly rewards and honors faithful believers by blessing their children. In Exodus 20:6, God said that he would show “covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” David affirmed this statement in Psalm 37:25 when he said, “I was once young, now I am old. I have never seen a godly man abandoned, or his children forced to search for food.” God often honors those who have honored him through many ways, including present-day rewards. With that said, this does not remove persecution and trials. As mentioned earlier, Mark 13:29-30 Christ promised that a sacrificial life for Christ will not only be rewarded with a hundred times as much in this life, including spiritual family, but also persecution. It’s the way he sanctifies us more and gives us more fruit. John 15:2 says, “He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.”

If we are going to live for Christ’s glory, we must make it our goal, instead of lesser goals like comfort, acclaim, and money. We must constantly ask ourselves, “Am I seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness through this act or attitude?” and “How can I bring maximum glory to Christ in this season of life, with the stewardship God has given me and the trials he has allowed?” When we honor Christ with our life, he promises to honor us as well, both in this life and the life to come.

Application Question: What other competing goals are you most tempted by rather than seeking first to glorify Christ and build his kingdom? How is God calling you to seek first his kingdom and righteousness in this season of life? What makes pursuing Christ’s glory so difficult?

To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Recognize and Rely on God’s Grace

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 1:12

After considering all the ways that we must pursue living for Christ’s glory (being in constant prayer, living worthy of our calling to salvation by being empowered by God, and making Christ’s glory our focus), it would be very easy for one to be discouraged. The Thessalonians, who were being persecuted for their faith and therefore tempted to quit instead of living for Christ’s glory, probably felt discouraged. However, Paul reminded them and us that living a life that glorifies Christ is only possible through God’s grace. Again, he prayed for the name of Jesus to be glorified in them, “according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” It was only by God’s grace—his unmerited favor—that they would be able to walk worthy of their calling and glorify Christ in the midst of persecution. This is true of salvation. We are saved “by grace through faith and that not of ourselves” according to Ephesians 2:8. But also our sanctification, including the works God accomplishes through us is according to God’s unmerited favor. Unlike our salvation which we cannot contribute to but only accept as a free gift (Rom 6:23), our sanctification includes our working along with God’s grace—his unmerited favor in our life. This is clear from what Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 15:10. He said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” Also, 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” It is possible for God’s grace to be in vain towards us. It’s possible for us to not use our spiritual gifts by sitting on the bench and never seeking to serve Christ at work, church, or amongst our family and friends. It’s possible for us to live for wealth, comfort, and prestige instead of the glory of Christ and the expansion of the kingdom. It’s possible for us to not take advantage of the fact that many of us are not persecuted for our faith, can go to church freely, and even share the gospel without being imprisoned. It’s possible for God’s grace to us to be in vain because we do nothing with it.

However, God’s grace on our unworthyness should encourage us to be faithful. Romans 2:10 says, God’s kindness leads people to repentance. God’s saving grace and his many benefits, including the death and resurrection of Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, spiritual gifts, and the body of Christ should lead us to faithfulness instead of spiritual lethargy and rebellion.

When Paul says, “according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 12), he could be referring to grace coming from Jesus Christ as God, or he could be referring to grace coming from God the Father and and Jesus Christ. Both are possible interpretations. Since Scripture teaches the doctrine of the Trinity—that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are each separately fully God and yet one—the distinction in the verse matters little. It refers to Christ as God or Christ as equal to God. Either way, according to God’s grace—his unmerited favor on our lives—we can glorify Christ both at his coming and during our time on the earth.

Application Question: How should we properly respond to God’s sanctifying grace?

1. As mentioned, God’s grace should lead us to work hard.

Again, in 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” Since God has given us grace to turn away from sin, walk in righteousness, and glorify Christ by our lives, we must work hard to do so. Second Peter 1:3 says, “his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.” He has given us all the resources we need to be faithful to him and to glorify Christ with our lives. Consequently, we should take advantage of those and spare no effort in our labor for him. Second Timothy 2:15 says it this way: “Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.” “Make every effort” can be translated "Do your best” (ESV), “work hard” (NLT), or “be diligent” (NKJV). In the context, it’s referring to studying and teaching God’s Word, but certainly, this applies to every part of our life. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people.”

Are we doing our best? Are we working with enthusiasm as unto the Lord? Are we being spiritually disciplined, fighting sin, using our spiritual gifts, serving, and being served by the body of Christ? We should be faithful because God has given us all the grace needed to complete the works God called us to and to bring glory to Christ.

2. God’s grace should prevent us from comparing ourselves to others and being insecure, jealous, or prideful.

As mentioned, God created specific works for each person to do, and these works differ with each individual, according to the grace given. With David, he was called to be a great king, and with Elijah, he was called to be a poor prophet. James, the brother of Jesus, was called to be a local church pastor in Jerusalem and an apostle with a focus on Jews. With Paul, he was called to be a transient missionary, church planter, and apostle to the Gentiles. He didn’t stay places very long. God has a different call for all of us. For one, he is called to be a Christian businessman who shines God’s light in the secular world. For another, she is called to be an educator, praying for students and their parents, while educating and cultivating the gifts of God’s children. For another, she may be called to be a homemaker, raising children to impact God’s kingdom. Each person’s calling is different. We are all called to be stewards of God’s grace in whatever realms he gives us, and if we are faithful, we will all be rewarded and hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21). We will be able to glorify God throughout eternity based on how we lived in the present. God’s grace should prevent us from comparing ourselves to others and being prideful, insecure, or jealous. In 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV) and 2 Corinthians 10:12, Paul said it this way:

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

It’s not wise to compare ourselves since God has made us all different. We must be thankful, humble, and good stewards of the grace God gave us, not somebody else.

3. God’s grace should make us never give up on others or ourselves.

If God could save Paul who was persecuting and imprisoning Christians, then he can radically save someone else who is far away from God. If he could save a bunch of pagans in Thessalonica and make them faithful stewards of God’s grace even in the midst of persecution, how much more can he save others who have more spiritual light than them? God can even save someone in their last minutes of rebellion on earth, even as he saved the thief on the cross. We must faithfully cry out in prayer for those who do not know Christ, and we must faithfully cry out in prayer for those who have turned away from Christ. No one is too far away from God to be saved or changed. And certainly, this applies to us. It’s easy to get discouraged when we fall or make a mistake. God’s applied grace to our failures before they even happened. He died on the cross and rose from the dead so we could be saved from the penalty of our sins and the power of them. As we consider his grace, we must not grow weary in doing good, including repenting and getting up, for we will reap a harvest if we don’t faint (Gal 6:9).

Application Question: In what ways do you at times struggle with discouragement over your calling? What are some negative effects of comparing ourselves with others, especially when considering the growth of social media and people’s tendency to post only successes and accomplishments? How do you struggle with comparison? Why is pride, insecurity, and jealousy incompatible with God’s grace distributed to each individual? How is God calling you to take comfort in and rely more on his grace?

Conclusion

How can we live for Christ’s glory—seeking to bring glory to Christ in everything we do, as described in 2 Thessalonians 1:10-12?

1. To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Be Prayerful

2. To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Live in a Manner Worthy of Our Calling

3. To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Make His Glory Our Primary Goal

4. To Live for Christ’s Glory, We Must Recognize and Rely on God’s Grace

Application Question: What stood out most in the text or sermon and why?

Prayer Prompts

• Pray for God to hallow his name throughout the earth—that he would draw people to worship him, that Bible studies, prayer meetings, churches, revivals, and mission endeavors would be started and be impactful.

• Pray for God to empower us (including our friends, family, and church members) to walk worthy of our call to salvation and holiness and the good works God has called us and others to.

• Pray for God to lavishly pour out his grace on his people to strengthen, encourage, heal, and empower them, especially the poor, sick, weak, and oppressed.

• Pray for Christ to glorify himself through our lives and that of his saints throughout the world, so that all may worship and know Christ, including the lost.