Via TJC
He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-10
This week we start on Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians. He wrote this short 3 chapter letter to the church to bolster their faith in the face of continued persecution and to clarify how they should be living their lives, not living in fear but gainfully working to better their communities. This call mirrors Jesus’ command to love our neighbor and walk with them, showing them who God is through our example. We can live this way because we know the truth laid out in today’s passage. Eternity is a long time and even though we can only imagine hell, being in a place devoid of love for eternity is a truly terrifying thought!
Recently there was some public upheaval in the Catholic Church due to a requested clarification of who can be blessed by a priest. The church stated that there is no issue with priests blessing divorced and same sex couples, when requested, outside of any ceremony or rite of the church. Scandal and outrage right? Laughably, no. While some priests might take this opportunity to follow Judas’s example, the church’s actual statement reminds all that the proper application of a blessing is meant to call the requester closer to God, to strengthen any part of their lives that are in alignment with God and convict them to go and sin no more. This is a beautiful application of Grace! We who know about eternity should embody this grace and God’s forgiveness! We are here to help call everyone out of their sin and discordant behaviors and to align their souls with God and His plan for them.
Daily Battle Order:
Today, ask God for His spirit of forgiveness. Forgive any people who have hurt you, whether they know it or not and keep forgiveness in the front of your mind through every encounter. Your example of love might just save a few souls today.
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