GOD'S WORD IN US PRODUCES GOD'S WORK THROUGH US
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, "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 stablish you in every good word and work."
There are two primary ways in which we reflect the work that God has done and is doing in our lives. God's impact upon us is seen by what we say based upon His Word, and what we do according to His Word. Notice what Paul is saying in these two verses:
Verse 16 speaks of God's work toward us and in us. Paul speaks of the Lord Jesus and the Heavenly Father who loved us and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Without grace, we would all be condemned. But because of God's unmerited favor in our lives, we experience His unparalleled love, His everlasting consolation, and an expectation of good (hope) for the future. The Lord not only saves us from our sin, but He bestows upon us His love, His consolation, and His hope. Thank you, Lord!
Verse 17 speaks of God establishing us in every good word and work. The good word spoken of here is the Word of God. We need to obey the command of 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Are you studying the Word of God? If not, then you won’t do much practicing either. Being established in the Word leads to our living the Word (in our verse it is called "work"). Gill in his "Exposition of the Entire Bible" writes: "In every good word of God, or truth of the Gospel, which contains good tidings of good things, so as not to waver about them, or stagger in them, or to depart from them; in practice of every duty, so as to be steadfast, and immovable, and always abounding therein; good words and good works, principles, and practices, should go together, and the saints stand in need of stability in both. For though, as to their state and condition, they are established in the love of God, in the covenant of grace, in the arms of Christ, and in him the foundation, so as they can never be removed; yet they are often very unstable, not only in their frames, and in the exercise of grace, but in their attachment and adherence to the Gospel and interest of Christ, and in the discharge of duty."
May we allow God's Word to develop us into saints who allow Him to work through us.
Your Friend and His,
Pastor Abbott
MEDITATIONS
1. Write out the two primary ways that we reflect on the work God is doing in us?
2. What three things does God bestow upon us as believers according to verse 16?
3. Would you describe yourself as a faithful student of God’s Word? Why or why not?
4. Why is it impossible to do the work of God effectively if you are not in the Word of God? Consider the connection between principles and practices.