Carol J German

What do you accept to be true? I mean, deep down, what do you really believe? Do you call yourself a Christian? Does does your life reflect it? With what you know about the Trinity, are you truly convinced that God is who He says He is?

The apostle Paul ministered to the churches in his day by challenging those who have chosen to follow Jesus to “believe like you have never believed before.” The world back then is no different than the world today. Believers were challenged daily to walk obediently with Jesus, to walk in a way that revealed that they were convinced of what they accepted to be true. They, as well us today, are challenged to give up worldly desires and walk with the cross of Christ.

In 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica was a letter to keep followers of Jesus to believe more deeply, to stay the course, to dig deep into the truths and abide like never before with Jesus. Earlier in his letter, Paul prepared believers for the Lord’s second coming and the persecution that will take place for those who have chosen to have faith in God over faith in the world. Over 2,000 years later, Jesus has not returned yet, but He is coming and every believer is called to walk in awareness to this fact. Every believer is called to watch and always be prepared for His return.

Jesus does come on a daily basis. Since His resurrection and ascension into heaven, He returns when every person dies to take them off this earth. There is a day coming where He will return to remove His whole church, those who are completely convinced, all at once. When this happens, Revelations will take place. And when this happens, God’s plan of redemption will be made complete.

In the meantime, as you and I wait for the Lord to either come and get us personally or collectively, Paul reminds believers of who they are in Christ and how to live accordingly. I think of the bridesmaids in Matthew 25:1-13. Are you convinced like five of the ten bridesmaids, or are you living like the other five who were foolish? One group was all in for their Lord and Savior, while the other group lived in both worlds. This group wasn’t convinced of what they believed.

Today, be reminded of why you live with oil in your lamp at all times:

Believer, you are loved by the Lord. There is no one else on earth that can love you more.

Beloved, you are chosen by God. He thinks you are wonderful beyond words. He fills you with all good things that this world cannot compare to. There is nothing in this world that is of eternal value. It all gets burned up in the end.

My child, receive your salvation. Not only receive it, but experience it. “It’s a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.”¹³

God has called you to salvation in Christ. You will experience it by allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify you in your heart and mind. He will help you to be convinced of His love, grace, and mercy.

You are to know these truth well. Stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teachings taught to you; see verse 15. God has given you the Bible to read so you can know for certain (and become convinced) of who you belong to. God has risen up ministers throughout the generations to lead His flock to their salvations. God places Himself within you when your repent and believe and follow Jesus in complete obedience.

You can and will know for certain who He is and who you are when you experience God’s salvation through His Son.

Son or daughter, God loves you by His grace. He gives you eternal comfort along with a wonderful hope that you have a bright tomorrow. He comforts you and strengthens you in all you do and say that is good and holy; see verse 17.

Be convinced of the reality around you and accept the truth. In Christ, you have all that you need. Let the ways of the world and its false promises fall away from you, and stand tall and strong as God’s faithful one.