The Believers Responsibilities to God’s Truth
April 9, 2021
Commentary
At this point in his letter Paul switches from prophecy to practical Christian living. He turns from Satan’s lies to God’s truth and from warning to thanksgiving and prayer. He explains how every believer has the following responsibilities to God’s truth:
1. Believe the truth (vv. 13-14). Salvation is of the Lord and lost sinners can never save themselves. God’s part involves the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing men unto Himself. It is dangerous to engage in idle speculation about divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Both are taught in the Bible. The human responsibility is to believe the truth. When sinners believe God’s truth, He saves them. When they reject the truth they cannot be saved (vv. 10-12).
2. Guard the truth (v. 15). The believers are exhorted to stand fast in the midst of opposition and to hold fast the traditions of Christ. The word “traditions” as stated here does not mean things which men have made up but something to pass from one to another which was received in the first place from God himself.
3. Practice the truth (vv. 16-17). If we hear the Word, but do not obey it, we are only fooling ourselves (James 1:22-25). Too many Christians today emphasize guarding the truth, but downplay living the truth. One of the best ways to guard the truth is to put it into practice. It is good to be defenders of the faith but we must not forget to be demonstrators of the faith.
Paul urged the Thessalonians to “stand fast” and “hold on to the truth they had been taught (v. 15).
Application
It is harder to practice the truth, than it is to believe and guard the truth. That is why it is often harder to get an application from my quiet-time than it is to write down what the writer is saying.
2 Thessalonians 2:13– 17 (NET)
13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.