The Ripple-Effect of Being In God

When we look at the greed, injustice, murder, abuse, trafficking, and other evils in this world, we question: “Why do bad people doing evil deeds seem to get away with it and even live happy, prosperous lives?” The same goes for those who persecute and mistreat the church physically and socially, as Christians in Thessalonica were suffering at the hands of others. Paul commends their faith-endurance and assures all believers that God’s just retribution is coming upon all evil when Jesus returns in flaming fire. At one-and-the-same time, Jesus will grant rest and relief to His church but inflict eternal vengeance, punishment, and destruction away from His presence on those who do not know Him in Christ and have afflicted His children throughout the millennia. In the meantime, as we must live out our faith in a world that opposes God, His words, His ways, and His people, Paul leans into the power of prayer that by God’s grace in Jesus Christ, we may be made worthy of His calling and glorify His name in our lives.