From Good to Great

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
2 Thessalonians 1 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
I find it interesting that this is one of the earliest writings of the New Testament. Galatians written in AD 48, 1 Thessalonians written in AD 50, and then 2 Thessalonians written AD 51 are believed by some to be the first three letters or books written in the New Testament. Paul wrote both First and Second Thessalonians from Corinth where he stated for a year and a half (Acts 18:1, 5, 11). Silas and Timothy join Paul in Corinth. First Thessalonians was written from Corinth. Second Thessalonians was also written from Corinth. 

In this passage, specifically verses 3-5, Paul states that the members’ of the church in Thessalonica faith is growing and love for each other is increasing. Their faith and love is growing and increasing even under persecutions and trials that they are enduring. Then to put a bow on it, Paul states that this is evidence God’s judgment is right and as a result they will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God. Is this some sort of equation? If I’m suffering and persecuted then God is at work. I think this is missing the point of Paul’s thoughts. 

When I read and study the Bible, repeatedly the characters I find encounter God and are drawn into relationship with God. Then in and through this relationship, God asks them to move from where they are and to move to somewhere that God can use them in His service. Test me on this. Do you know a character or story in the Bible, where God or God through Jesus says “You are just fine and you should stay just where you are”? 

As I read the Bible, it has story after story of transformation, transformation on a personal level but also on groups or nations. These transformations are difficult, painful and also often lead to conflict with authority or the status quo. The key difference between the kingdom of heaven and the world is that in the kingdom of heaven these conflicts are taken on with love and lead to a growing faith in God. Here in this passage Paul writes that he thanks God for his brothers and sisters in Thessalonica. Paul sees that they are being transformed and this is the evidence that God’s judgment is right. 

Persecution from Rome and persecution by the Jewish establishment was the earthly enemy of Paul and the early church.  Today in our country we really don’t face persecution like the church in Thessalonica, but we do have enemies of our faith. There are enemies external and internal; specifically there is complacency or our desire to be comfortable. I have a friend that calls the church the frozen chosen. We have become comfortable with our positions and our depth of faith. 

In the book Good to Great, Jim Collins states that “Good is the enemy of great.” We can become complacent in our goodness, but we know God calls us to greatness through His transforming power. I’m sure that where I am now physically and spiritually is not where God wants me to be. He has so much more for me and I know this is true for each of us. God doesn’t call us to goodness. He calls us to greatness. He wants all we have so that He can complete His work in us and with us lead others to Him. 

In the book It, Craig Groeschel presents a personal prayer he prays daily:  

“Stretch me into what You made me to be. Ruin me so I’m only fit for You. Heal me of the wounds that keep me from You.”  

I love this prayer. I pray it with trepidation. Do I really want this? I do. I believe it is how God wants to transform me. This stretching, ruining, and healing can be painful, but it moves us away from being just satisfied with goodness, and moves us towards committing fully to God to transform us into what He intended for us. 

 

 

PRAYER:

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV)

 

 

WHO AM I?3

I’m David Norris and I love being on adventures with my wife.