Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Theological Education to Strengthen Faith

2 Thessalonians 1: 1-12
Verse 4: Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

Thessalonica (now, Thessaloniki) was a major seaport of Greece in the northwestern shore of Aegean Sea. It is believed that Paul wrote the very first of his epistles to the church in Thessalonica. The local citizens were all new to this religion. They did not belong to the rich and well-educated of the society. They needed exhortation as well as explanation of the theme and contents of the new-found religion. The second epistle to the Thessalonian church was an appendix explaining the doctrines and clearing a host of questions that the faith community had regarding various parts of the first letter.
    The Thessalonian church was confused about Jesus’ second coming. Some of them even believed that the Lord had already come for a second time. Some others believed that the ‘Second Coming’ is so imminent that they do not have time to work and keep their home. As a result, believers became lazy and depended on others for a living. Paul cleared the air and explained in very clear language that they are wrong in behaving such a manner.
    Even though they had some confusion regarding the doctrines, they were steadfast in their faith. The pagan culture and the immoral life-style around them did not sway the Thessalonian church from their path. They kept following the way of Jesus Christ and remembered to stick to the directions and instructions that Paul and the church elders had taught them. Paul had told them that the Lord will reward them that suffer for His name’s sake. The Thessalonian believers suffered for their faith patiently. Paul, who himself went through countless trial and sufferings for Christ’s sake, noticed that the Thessalonian believers are a model to other faith communities he established around the region. Paul also commends them for their perseverance and faith. 
    Two thousand years later, the Christian Church is still facing persecutions from several corners of the world. The Christian religion most passive and extremely helpful to a distressed humanity, are under attack just for our faith. As the time is fast approaching for the glorious appearing of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, the forces of darkness seem to gather strength and are oppressing the church even more. But we seek refuge in His word that …”the gates of hell shall not prevail.”
    The lesson to learn from the Thessalonian church is that they faced the challenge to their faith by perseverance. In these testing times of unjustified onslaught on our faith often ignored by the worldly governments, we ought to stand firm on the unbreakable promises of God and “…run with perseverance the race marked for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith…..”
(Hebrews 12: 1-2).
Prayer
Dear Lord, teach us to rely on Your strength to endure persecutions and stand firm as your witnesses in these testing times.
Thought of the Day
By perseverance, the snail reached the arc. -Charles Spurgeon.
 
Mr. Abraham Mammen
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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