Sunday, August 26, 2018

When you are under trials, do not reduce your prayers and good works.

"We ought to thank God always for you, brothers, as is fitting, because your faith flourishes ever more."  (2 Thessalonians 1: 3).

St Paul congratulates the Thessalonian Christians on their growing faith. Very interesting.  But how does St Paul know that their faith is flourishing?
Because of their "endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions" they experience. (2 Thessalonians 1: 4).

So when you endure in your prayers, word of God and good works under afflictions and persecutions, rejoice because your faith is surely growing.  If you give up your practice of faith under God’s afflicive providences, you put your faith in reverse gear. Don't do it.

"This is evidence of the just judgment of God, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God for which you are suffering."  (2 Thessalonians 1: 5).

St James joined Paul in teaching the great lesson of perseverance under trial:
"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  (James 1: 2 - 4).

So brothers and sisters,  "Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?"  (Hebrews 12: 7).

SeekFirstcommunity.com

No comments:

Post a Comment

23-Psalm1to2