new desires. Instead of drinking in iniquity like water, he will begin to thirst after righteousness. He will be born again. God will make him a new creature, all of which will give him "much assurance."
1:9 This reveals the essence of Paul's message to the Thessalonians. He preached against their sin of idolatry (transgression of the First and Second Commandments). This is also the essence of his message to the Athenians (see Acts 17:29).
CHAPTER 2 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in to you, that it was not in vain:
QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS 2:13 "There is no absolute truth. You can't be sure of anything!"
Those who say that there are no absolutes are often very adamant about their belief. If they say that they are absolutely sure, then they are wrong because their own statement is an absolute. If they are not 100 percent sure, then there is a chance that they are wrong and they are risking their eternal salvation by trusting in a wrong belief. God tells us that there is an objective, absolute truth that is not subject to man's interpretations or whims, on which we can base our eternity. That truth is the Word of God (John 17:7).
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted to you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us.
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father does his children, 12 That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you to his kingdom and glory.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.
14 For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Wherefore we would have come to you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
*** For how to witness to homosexuals, see 1 Timothy 1:8–10 comment.
*** 2:4 It is a great betrayal of trust to fashion our message to please men. We must never fail to call hell "hell" and sin "sin," rather than use timid clichés such as a "Christless eternity" and "indiscretions."
"Never mind who frowns, if God smiles."
Catherine Booth 2:9,10 We must strive to be devout, just, and blameless in the sight of a sinful world.
God forbid that any soul should stumble because they see what they perceive to be hypocrisy in our lives.
2:16 Some lack the fear of God and believe that it is their right to suppress the truth of God's Word. However, those who hinder the progress of the gospel will come under the severe wrath of the Almighty. It would be better that a millstone be placed around their neck and they be cast into the depths of the sea, rather than hinder a single person from coming to peace with their Creator.
We can take strong consolation in the fact that God will have His way. Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved and the wicked will be punished. He has delusions of grandeur indeed who thinks he can stop the will of God from coming to pass.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked will not go unpunished (Proverbs 11:21). God will judge the world in righteousness. It would be infinitely easier to build a baconburger restaurant on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem