WAITING CONFIDENTLY FOR JESUS

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READ 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

“For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

In these verses, Paul related the second coming of Christ to their salvation. 

Because they had trusted Christ, they looked for His return with joyful expectancy and knew that they would be delivered ''from the wrath to come'' – vs. 10. 

Paul repeated this truth in 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”

These believers had turned to Christ from worshipping idols.  When they worshipped idols, they had no hope. But now, in Christ, they were patient in hope. They could await the coming of Christ with boldness and confidence.

A local church that truly lives in the expectation of seeing Jesus Christ at any time will be a vibrant and victorious group of people. 

Expecting the Lord's return is a great motivation for soul-winning and Christian stability. It is a wonderful comfort in sorrow and a great encouragement for godly living.  May we live every day confidently looking for Jesus to deliver us from the wrath to come.

We should possess a godly character that evidences our genuine call to salvation. That character leads us to faithful conduct that places confidence in the one true living God. 

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  What is an idol? Do Christian believers ever have idols?  What kind might they be?

2.  What assurance does the believer have that he will live with Christ forever?